Consenting sins

What's meant by consenting sins?

Some of us have lived, are living, or will live according to this idea --

"If I'm doing something with someone and they agree willingly to do this, then it's OK."

In other words, if they consented to participate in a sin, modern culture stamps this as ACCEPTABLE.

"Eat, drink, and be merry." Luke 12:19

If this idea were presented in this way, many Bible believers might think,

"This doesn't seem right. Sin isn't something to mess with."

Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man [person] sows, he will reap in return.

The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Galatians 6:7-8

Perhaps many in today's world think like this --

"If consenting adults aren't committing a crime, then what's the harm?"

Most sins are done in private, aren't they?

But what happens if their consensual sinning is exposed?

Maybe they don't acknowledge their actions as sin.

Their places of employment, family, and friends might think differently though.

Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.

For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. Ephesians 5:11-12

"IS IT TALKING TO ME?"

Pick any action of the earthly nature.

There are some lists in the Bible. Galatians 5:19-21; Colossians 3:5, 8-9

What can hinder us from having these expose OUR actions, is that we don't know the definitions of all of these terms.

Or we explain them away as,

"It can't really mean that. I love this person."

"We're just having fun."

"Everybody gets angry, especially in close relationships. Let's be practical."

Paul wrote in a way that he expected his readers to understand what these actions were and that if we practice these, we won't enter the kingdom of God.

He wrote to believers in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Galatians 1:1-5

The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery [indecent acts, wild living];

idolatry and sorcery [witchcraft]; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions [that promote false doctrine],

and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.

I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21

Paul wrote to another group of believers Colossians 1:1-2 that they should NOT seek the things here on the earth such as sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry. Colossians 3:2, 5

These dig into the private, dark side, don't they? SEX stuff, EVIL DESIRES, and GREED.

Paul's next list broadens the net to capture just about all of us --

But now you must put aside all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.

Do not lie to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices. Colossians 3:8-9

Any of these in Paul's lists could be done or THOUGHT ABOUT while alone.

But when another person consents to do these with us, then we may find it harder to escape.

Some might think,

"Hey, this person is successful. They're also spiritual. They don't see anything wrong with this. Why should I?"

Paul also wrote about walking in the God-kind of love. 1 Corinthians 8:1-3

It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything to cause your brother [or sister] to stumble. Romans 14:21

WAYS TO ESCAPE

There is a way that seems right to a man [person], but its end is the way of death. Proverbs 14:12

God the Father provides right ways to extract ourselves from consensual sins.

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful;

He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.

But when you are tempted, He will also provide an escape, so that you can stand up under it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

Take the ESCAPE ROUTE with the help of the Holy Spirit.

"Lord, help me."

He will. Romans 8:12-14

Since we live by the Spirit, let us walk in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:25

The Holy Spirit "takes hold together with against" [literal meaning of helps] our weaknesses. Romans 8:26

He craves what is against the earthly nature so that we can't do what we want. Galatians 5:16-17

But we have to let Him lead us, don't we? Galatians 5:18

Put off the old person like it's dirty clothing. Isaiah 64:6; Philippians 3:8-9

Put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian [uncultured], Scythian [unrefined], slave, or free, but Christ is all and is in all. Colossians 3:10-11

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with spiritual hearts of WHAT?

Let's try to focus on only one per day.

SUNDAY: compassion

MONDAY: kindness

TUESDAY: humility

WEDNESDAY: gentleness

THURSDAY: patience

FRIDAY: forgiveness (as the Lord forgave us)

SATURDAY: love

Colossians 3:12-14

GIVE YOURSELF

Give yourself to the Lord Jesus Christ. Luke 14:25-33

As an offering and sacrifice in love, give yourself in service to others in the attitude of Jesus. Ephesians 5:1-2; Phil. 2:4-8

Give yourself to giving. Matthew 6:1-4; Romans 12:8

Give yourself to prayer and the ministry of the word. Matthew 6:5-6; Acts 6:4; 2 Corinthians 5:18-20

Give yourself to fasting. Matthew 6:16-18

Give yourself to a humble lifestyle so that others are lifted up. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7; Ephesians 5:21; Philippians 2:3; 1 Peter 5:5

God the Father will then exalt you in due time. 1 Peter 5:6

INSTEAD of giving yourself to someone in an unholy way, 1 Corinthians 7:1-2, 36 it's better to marry than to burn with passion. 1 Corinthians 7:8-9; Ephesians 5:22-25, 28, 33; Hebrews 13:4

These are spiritual alternatives to sinning and consensual sinning.

Your thoughts?

R. Jason