Who will rule?

I've been thinking a lot lately about sin.  Not exactly a happy thought, but I think a necessary one.  How much do you think about sin?  Which sins do you think about?  Just the big ones or the little ones too?  Only the bad things you do, or the good things that you do not do?  Which ones grieve your heart and which ones do you shrug off as "no big deal"?

In recent days I've been convicted that I do not take sin seriously enough.  Of course I am concerned with the big stuff, like any "good" Christian- but what about the little stuff- stuff that no one will even notice.  Stuff that won't hurt my reputation, won't slow down my productivity, won't hurt my marriage, etc.

But isn't that where it starts?  Isn't that the beginning?  Eve should been no where near that tree.  David should have been at war, not the roof top.  Ananias and Sapphira should have been honest about how much they sold their land for.

While we brag about not commiting the "big ones" are we equally diligant on the subtle ones?  Don't the subtle ones turn into the big ones over time.

In Genesis 4 God accepts the offering of Abel and rejects the offering of Cain- and Cain looses it!  Verse 6 says, "The Lord said to Cain, 'Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen?  If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door.  Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.'"

That phrase "sin is crouching at the door" should send make the Christian sit up straight.  The problem is I (and many others) are asleep at the wheel.  We aren't paying attention, too many times we don't rule over sin; instead we get careless and relaxed.  And in that moment we are vulnerable...even (or especially) to the small stuff.  Once the door is cracked open, you are defenseless.

Are you paying attention to sin?  Even the so called little ones?  I mean the really little ones!  Who holds you accountable?  Who do you confess your sin to...besides the Lord?!  Who do you take your mask off with and talk openly with?  What is your plan to fight sin and grow in holiness?  It won't happen by accident.

"Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  He who calls you in faithful; he will surely do it."  1 Thessalonians 5:23