The Deceitfulness of Sin

November 19 The Deceitfulness of Sin
But exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. —Hebrews 3: 13
Sin is deceitful—wickedly deceitful. On the surface, sin looks to be pleasurable, but the Bible warns us that, “There is a way that seems right to man, but its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 16: 25). Sin justifies itself. You have heard those justifications. “Times have changed; everyone is doing it.” “I’m only human.” “Just one time can’t hurt you.” “I can’t help it, God made me this way.”
**Being hardened by sin, you find yourself doing things that you once swore you would never do.
Sin deceives you by hardening you. If you embrace anything long enough, you begin to accept it. The solution to sin’s deceitfulness is to surround yourself with other believers, true friends who will warn you when you are going astray. “Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful” (Proverbs 27: 6).
Peer pressure can be a positive thing when those peers love the Lord and are intent on serving Him. If the Spirit of God has been speaking to your heart about a sin you have allowed in your life, it is so important that you let it go this moment. Don’t wait until tomorrow or next week. Don’t wait for a more convenient time. Remember: sin is deceitful. If you let it, sin will harden your heart against God.
Father, help us to listen to Your Word and heed it, lest our hearts be hardened through sin’s deceitfulness. Help us to forsake the path of sin and to walk in the ways of righteousness. Amen.