Hate what is evil. Romans 12:9 (NIV)
Come into the soul of a man who is on a business trip. On his first night in a new city, he checks into his hotel only to discover the ease with which his television gives him access to adult movies.
It has been a long, dull, boring day. Hardly anything has been of interest to Imagination. So he calls a meeting: “I’m tired, lonely, and bored,” says Imagination. “How about a movie?”
“I can’t go along with that,” says Conscience.
Mind is tired, “Does this require the attention of the entire Board?”
“I think it does,” says Conscience.
“Maybe you do,” says Mind, “but I’m not interested in talking about it.”
“I’m drawn in two directions,” says Will, “and I’d like to hear your views before I make a decision. This should be an interesting discussion!”
Memory can recall guilt and pleasure, so he finds it difficult to know which way to vote.
Heart is drawn to pleasure, which makes him want to vote with Imagination. But he also hates pain, which makes him want to vote with Conscience.
So now you have a board with six members—one is voting yes, one is voting no, one isn’t interested, and three can’t decide which way to vote.
It is extremely difficult for us to hate what part of us finds attractive. And there is an inherent attraction in all sin.
If you find yourself in a pattern of repeated failure, it may be that you’ve never learned to hate evil. You’re sorry for what you’ve done, but the love of it lingers in your soul. There is one way forward: Each member of the Board must learn to hate what they used to love.
Are you experiencing a pattern of repeated sin?
