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How to Prevent Sin
Herbert W. Armstrong BookletDo you realize that if it is wrong to do a certain thing, it is wrong to harbor thoughts of that thing in your mind? Sin is thinking thoughts you ought not to be thinking about things you ought not to be doing while you are thinking that kind of thoughts. How does sin actually happen? Every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust and desire, and enticed. Then, when lust in the mind has conceived, it brings forth sin; and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death. The temptation is in the mind. When you think about the thing that tempts you, letting your mind dwell on it, turning it over in your mind—whether it be a desire to go somewhere, to do something, or to have something you know is wrong—that thinking about it finally conceives and leads to action, breeding sin. If you keep thinking about it, after a while you'll be unable to resist it. The way to prevent sin is to let God's Spirit fill the mind. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. The way to put a thing out of the mind is to put an opposite thought in the mind. Try using this method on yourself. Open your Bible. Put the study of some spiritual subject in your mind. Next time you are tempted, pray over it and ask God to help you. See how rapidly you begin to win the victory over temptation and sin, and how marvelous will be your spiritual and character growth.
Sin (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughTrue Christianity is no cakewalk into eternal life, but a life and death struggle against our flesh, the world, and a most formidable spirit adversary.
Sin (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThoughts, words, or behaviors not in alignment with the mind of God are also violations against God's law. Foolishness should never be part of our conduct.
Sin (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThough relatively neutral at its inception, human nature is subject to a deadly magnetic pull toward self-centeredness, deceit, and sin.
Sin, Christians, and the Fear of God
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughScripture takes a very stern view of sin because it is failure to live up to God's standard and destroys relationships, especially our relationship with God.
Evil Desires
Sermonette by Clyde FinkleaAll the medieval 'seven deadly sins' could be categorized as a facet of lust. God designed us to have proper desires, just as His desires are always proper.
In Honor of Jesus Christ
CGG Weekly by John W. RitenbaughIt is our responsibility to glorify God. As obedient children, we bring Him honor; as disobedient children, we bring shame on Him and blaspheme His name.
The Lures Of Satan
Sermonette by Bill OnisickTrout become smart about the lures in their stream. Likewise, we must be cautious, realizing that the lure of sin, regardless of its disguise, means death.
The Tenth Commandment
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughEveryone is out to acquire as much as possible for himself. The tenth commandment, however, governs this proclivity of human nature, striking at man's heart.
God's Rest (Part 4)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughCoveting—lust—is a fountainhead of many other sins. Desiring things is not wrong, but desiring someone else's things promotes overtly sinful behavior.
True Self-Control
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughSelf-control is the ability to focus our attention so that our decisions will not be directed by wrong thoughts. If we change our thoughts, we change our behavior.
Lead Us Not Into Temptation
Sermon by Ryan McClureIt is solely God's prerogative to test and to prove, while Satan's function is to tempt, to trip up, and to destroy. God tests but does not tempt.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Twenty-Six)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)To keep us secure from the temptations of the world, we must embrace our metaphorical sister, Wisdom, keeping us focused on our relationship with God.
God's Rest (Part 3)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughLust begets a guilty conscience, agitation, anxiety, depression, grief, torment. Wrong desire leads to lying, adultery, and murder—eventually leading to death.
God Works in Mysterious Ways (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughFor His Own reasons, God has chosen not to reveal His plan to those the world considers wise, but, instead, to work with the weaker sort of mankind.
Matthew (Part Ten)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughEntering the Kingdom requires choosing the narrow, difficult path of sacrifice, service, and humility over the easy, broad path of selfishness.