Why is it that some sins just refuse to die?!
You know what I’m talking about…the sins you think you’ve dealt with, only to find them back again.
Like zombies scratching at the windows, clawing to get into your heart.
OH LORD!
The apostle Paul knew what it was like to deal with “zombie sins”:
“I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway…I have learned this principle of life – that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind.” (Romans 7:18-19, 22-23)
Can you relate?!
For me, the biggest "zombie sin" I deal with is fear. It seems that I am afraid a lot. I’ve been this way since I was a child. Yes, I have “a genetic predisposition to anxiety” – blah, blah, blah.
But, why can’t I once and for all just TRUST God?
I know people who are going through real struggles, real difficulties – financial hardships, addiction issues, marriage problems, etc. They seem to have more faith than I can muster most days.
What is it about fear?
What am I afraid of, you might ask? (It’s OK, you can ask…)
A lot…”the boys” – and all their life issues – work, marriage, money, their faith…
“The Hub” – issues about HIS faith…
My elderly parents – what’s coming in the future as I deal with their aging?
A thousand other "what if" things -
The random call at midnight, the scary diagnosis, the unforeseen accident…
Cancer, death…
Ah…there it is! The underlying fear – the BIG one that simmers underneath all the others.
I’m afraid of death.
OK, that was really tough to admit. Because as a believer, I KNOW where I’m going when I die. I BELIEVE every promise of God’s. But I’m still scared.
If I’m really honest with myself…and with you…even underneath that fear of death is another – the fear of not being in control. For death is really the final, ultimate thing over which WE HAVE NO CONTROL.
I’m a nice lady…(just ask me, I’ll tell you) – I don’t see myself as a control freak. But if I fear the “uncontrollable” – then what does that say about my willingness to trust God COMPLETELY??
I have nailed this “zombie sin” to the cross I don’t know how many times…just for it to come back and live another day.
But I guess that’s what it means to “take up your cross DAILY.”
So, for today, just for today, I’m going to fight this “zombie sin” with these weapons:
“For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.”
(Hebrews 2:14-15)
“The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.” (Romans 8:11)
“Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?...thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:54-55, 57)
Do you have a “zombie sin” – does it have something to do with control???
BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"
Hi Sharon,
ReplyDeleteThis is a good post that speaks to me about my need to honestly face up to those zombies which follow after me. I've struggled with pride and as I examine it, I see that there is an underlying problem with honesty and integrity.
Pride wants me to put up an image of not only who I see myself as but how I want to be seen by others. I have these faults and imperfections and I'm making a sincere effort to face up to my insecurities and my pride. The Holy Spirit helps me recognize and admit my faults and insecuritues but there are times when I find myself wanting to cover up and protect the real me.
As I say, "I'm a work in progress." I'm trusting the Lord to help me reach the position of transparency; I'm confident He'll take me there.
Blessings and peace.
MTJ
Mine is like yours, fear and anxiety, distrust with God. But at the beginning of this past year, after struggling with it, for YEARS, I made "trust" my buzz word of the year. God has been with me every step of the way through some really harrowing times and he has never let me down. So I decided to just really trust him and if anxious or fearful, I say "I trust you Lord". It has really helped a lot plus I know he knows what is best for me so I will allow him to work in my life :)
ReplyDeleteand I try to remember scripture of God's promises. It is not easy sometimes, but I am really trying to let that go to him.
betty
I was amazed as I read this how much of it, word for word, I could have written. I would never have thought to call them "Zombie Sins" but that's a wonderful description.
ReplyDeleteMy number one Zombie sin is fear exactly like you, and when you started in about cancer and death, I felt as if I were reading my own heart.
From there, the fears just pile on.
Sigh.
MTJ - Thanks for your honest comments. It's interesting, isn't it, how we sometimes don't recognize the underlying reasons for our sins - and yet, we need to let the Holy Spirit work where the "roots" are. "Work in progress" you say?! Here's mine: "God isn't finished with me yet!!" (But I'm sure glad He loves me enough to keep working!!)
ReplyDeleteBetty - I have also found Scripture to be VERY helpful in combating fear and anxiety. It ISN'T easy sometimes, but it's really the only way. I like your simple phrase, "I trust You, Lord" - I'm going to start saying that more - both with my mouth and with my heart.
Debbie - Yes...sigh. It made me happy to hear that I'm not alone with my fears, but I'm also sorry that you share them - ya know?! An interesting thing I noted about the first verse I quoted - it doesn't say slaves to dying...rather, it says slaves to the FEAR of dying. Somehow, it feels different to me, somehow. We are no longer slaves to death - that has been conquered. Ah, but the specter of death, the FEAR of it, the scary unknown looming on the horizon - that's where Satan attacks - a crafty parrot, he is...
We will continue to share our battle - I pray for you (as only a fellow "cancerphobe" can :)
BLESSINGS, ALL!
I'll join you in the fight with "zombie sins". And yes, with God's help, we will have the victory.
ReplyDeleteHmm. .. is fear of death 'sin'? I used to be afraid of death ALL THE TIME. Couldn't sleep, or do anything without wondering about what might happen. 1 John 4:18 says, "And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world." As I've grown to know Christ more, I've become less afraid.
ReplyDeleteOf course, that being said, I AM deathly afraid of people's opinions - what will they think?! What will they say?! How harshly will they judge me?! .. it's true "Fear of men will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord will be kept safe"
Fear of men - that's my zombie fear. Pride is my zombie sin. May I kill them daily with Jesus' help.
Thanks for sharing your fears. It's encouraging :)
Anita, thanks for standing by me in the battle. ONLY with God's help will we have victory!
ReplyDeleteKimberly, you raise a good question. I guess I consider my fear of death as a "sin" because it is NOT based on the promises of God, nor on the sure salvation of His Son - but it is "self"-focused. I REALLY liked the verse you quoted!
Fear of what people think - OH BOY! That is a BIG one of mine, too.
Yes, I echo your sentiment - May I kill them daily with Jesus' help.
BLESSINGS!
Sharon, I also have a few zombie sins that keep rearing their ugly head in my life. Like you, I also have a fear of death, cancer etc etc. I try not to dwell on it, but it is there none-the-less.
ReplyDeleteI really liked that Hebrews scripture! I have never really seen it before (at least if I did, it didn't speak to me, like it did just now). I will have to spend some time on that particular verse me thinks.
Amanda,
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked the Hebrews scripture - somehow it brought a new perspective to me on the whole matter.
I, like you, will just keep on taking one step, one day at a time, with the Lord's help - and keep asking Him to help us with these "zombies!"
GOD BLESS!