Greetings,
Ray teaches that there are four things that happen with sin.
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,3709.0.htmlSo there are four things that happen with sin:
1. Committed
2. Remitted
3. Repented
4. Removed
I've recently been pondering "temptation" and how it fits into this process. It would seem to me that the temptation comes before the "committed" stage and if one can overcome the temptation, the act of committing would not come into play. But, some sins are not as obvious as others ie: coveting, but that is a condition of the heart, as is hatred, lusting, etc. So I've come to the conclusion that sin is committed in the heart prior to any action being taken. That is where the "committed" takes place, not in the manifestation of the sin through actions.
Romans 14:23
But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for
whatever is not from faith is sin.How does this fit in with the temptation of Jesus in Matt.4? (Keep in mind the following Matt. 3:17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “
This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”)
1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward
He was hungry. 3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “
If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”
4 But He answered and said, “
It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”
What is being tempted, the physical hunger or the faith in the word of God?
5 Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, “
If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down.
For it is written:
‘ He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘ In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’” Here again, same thing being tested, Jesus faith in what God told him. Only this time, satan must twist the scriptures as his weapon of choice.
7 Jesus said to him, “
It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the LORD your God.’”
8 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” (Here we find satan's last attempt at attacking the faith, appealing to the "Pride of life" and lust for the things of this world. We know Jesus heart is for the will of God, not the things of this world and that Jesus stands firm again in the word of God.)
10 Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For
it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’”
11 Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.
Every time Jesus faith is attacked, He responds with statements of faith. Jesus knew how to rightly divide the word of truth. I pray that this will be my response. I hope that this will help shed some light on what happens prior to the "committing" stage of sin. Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. All sin is a result of questioning (temptation or testing) the word of God and that all stems out of our hearts, not in the actions themselves. I hope this isn't preaching what I think, but that it is a revelation worth sharing.
G.