Thursday, January 27, 2011

the 3rd level of sin: Devil's stronghold


Level 1 sin: actions

The first level includes the actions that can be named or we know we should watch out for. such as:

Gossip,
Sex not protected by marriage
Overeating or indulging
Other desires of the flesh
Laziness
Materialistic choices
The other 'deadly sins'
Breaking the commandments

Pro: these are guideposts to how we are doing by God; if we think we are doing right but violating these, it is easier to detect self deception.

Con: keeping to these only makes us legalistic, and if that is as deep as our obedience goes, we are not even pleasing God. Probably making him angry.


Level 2 sins: attitudes and emotions.

I credit this distinction to pastor Derek. Last night he pointed out that if we go about doing the right thing (level 1) but are not right in our hearts, it pretty much doesnt count.

Evidence of level 2 sin would be:

Bitterness
Resistance
Begrudging another
Feeling one thing and saying another
Having a hard heart
Humoring people
Judging

Pro: checking ourselves on level 2 sins can help us find our way to true humility, obedience, and surrender before God and experiencing life with Christ.

Con: if you take seriously Christ's words about changing your heart, and try become right yourself through a manipulation of your inner attitudes and postures, you will likely become ingenuine, forcing your sin even deeper underground. Then you are in the business of lying not only to others, but to yourself. In this state, no relationship with God is possible.

It is probably best if we find ourselves in this position to instead pray to the Holy Spirit to guide and change us. Then get ready for the often long, sometimes painful, daily work of having our level 3 sins rooted out.


Level 3 sin: beliefs, preconceptions, 'lenses'

Level 3 sin is the hardest to root out. This is because it colors everything we see - including our self-perception of sin.

Usually level 3 sin came to us from outside forces before we were old enough to have responsibility in the matter: from our culture, from parents who were abusive, narcissistic, or indulgent. They also to sime degree are the result of human nature, unchecked or exacerbated by bad parenting. These influences color the way we see ourselves and our world, such as:

I am special, set apart
When I am unhappy I deserve a treat.
I deserve to be comfortable and happy.
I should be able to get what I want out of my relationships.
I need to be taken care of.

I shouldn't have to work this hard

I am worthless or hopeless.

My life is crap.
Others people's needs are more important than mine.
Our way is the best.
My family/country is special.
If we/I have problems, they are not as serious as other people's.
The problems in the world are mostly due to people unlike me.


Level three sins are rarely discovered without rigorous self-examination. That is because we do not care enough about each other to look closely and risk pointing them out. It is far easier to hide: 'live and let live.' One of the devil's favorite slogans.

Yet we need committed, intimate relationships to show us where to look for level three sins, with committed partners willing to hold the truth to our face for us consistently and not leave, for years, until we feel it is safe enough to come out of hiding and let our worst be seen. This is the meaning of confession of sins: a command most churches dont practice because we dont want to face what is hardest in ourselves and others. The relationship that facilitates healing of level three sin is not what we imagine with a 'soul mate,' however, or with a friend or family member. Rather it is with that rare individual completely committed to eradicating all three levels of sin in herself, as a daily, lifelong practice. Short of joining a monastery, you might find an individual like this once a decade.They tend to show up only once you've hit rock bottom and have no other path left but to look for the level 3 sin that has derailed you most your life

People whose level 3 sin comes mostly from the culture will tend never to look for it. This is because the sin is so widely accepted. It is like the air we breathe. Old testament prophets like Amos and Habbakuk spoke God's condemnation on cultures whose level three sin blinded them even from the level 1 sins they were committing. You can do everything right by your church and your neighbors and still be living in sin; as Pastor Derek says: most Christians are not going to Heaven. But we can pray as David did in the psalms: "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts." (139:23) The holy spirit can correct what man will not.

People whose level 3 sin comes from aberrant family conditioning are more likely to be pointed toward looking for it; their life struggles will set them apart from culture, and make it hard for them to function normally. They are more likely to hit rock bottom. These will tend to be those God has created for special tasks, for the devil laid the trap early for them. These face a double-bind in that they may struggle against their personal level 3 sin in damaged self-concepts to chase what is 'normal,' never breaking through to seeing that the picture of normal itself is built to accomodate everyone else's level 3 sin. Thus the devil has fooled them into chasing sin all their lives, and may never discover God's purpose for us.

Few ever get to looking for their level 3 sin in their lifetimes. It does no good to diagnose it in general or be able to name it from the outside. We must learn to see it for ourselves, in the moment of it's operation, in the ways it colors our choices, our assumptions, the mean things we "didn't mean to do." We must re-see ourselves as bearers of this sin at every moment, learn it's flavor and character and shape and watch it in action. Only then can we capture the devil inside us and offer him back to God.




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