Proverbs 26:11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.

This proverb always made me sick to my stomach to think about. What a disgusting image. Yet in truth many repent of their sins in the same manner. Their sin makes them sick for a moment, their conscience being bothered for the moment and they turn away from the pain of the moment. Where do they go when they turn away?

Recently I quoted scripture about the men who were going to stone a woman caught in adultery. They were convicted by Jesus in their hearts of their own sins, dropped the stones, turned and went away. Where did they go? Back to their old life, their old ways, to continue in sin.

Romans 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

Is your answer yes? God’s grace is bigger than my sin.

John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Sanctification is a process of separation, to hold you in righteousness and hold sinfulness at a distance. Sin does not go away, we go away. We have to be taken to a place where sin is no longer a priority. To simply believe God’s grace is bigger does not make me sick to my stomach, like Proverbs 26:11. I will return to it if I do not go with God, go away to stay away.

In the Lord’s prayer it says “lead us not into temptation” which is the implication that you are walking with God. Walk by faith, walk in the Spirit, follow truth, and let His lamp be a guide unto your feet. All these are expressions of true repentance from sin and going with God.

1 Corinthians 14:25-26 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth. How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

The last word I want to hear is disingenuous. It is vital that we all act in a manner which is true to what is real in the inner man. That is walking after the spirit. If we present ourselves to be something we are not then no one in our circle of influence will be edified.

Others cannot validate our faith. You cannot do the will of God while looking for others around you to report that God is in you.

John 5:44 How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?

Your faith is vain if it seeks the praise of men. Every act of obedience of faith only looks to obey to the glory of God and does not care to see the result. Your faith may be weak or immature but the confirmation of saving faith is not in being seen of men but rather in doing God’s will.

If you are insecure in your faith, say so, confess your fears, allow yourself to be edified by others. To be real is all we ask. We cannot help if you hide the inner man behind the outward and seeming man who is disingenuous. Be real.

It is not always easy to know if the changes in the inner man are wrought by God or of self will. Men are told to buck up and be a man. Men want to raise men. God wants to raise sons.