Philippians 1:21-26

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.

I will never sugar coat God’s jealousy and how much He hates sin. This verse was brand new to me when I read it in my personal devotional time; it convicted me and brought me to tears. What is it in your life that is a stronghold? Where is it that you consistently fall short of God’s glory? What action seems uncontrollable and leads to your eventual down fall? Know that you can stand against these things with the power of Jesus! But, also know that the more you fall to it, the closer you are to your own destruction. God’s compassion can only endure for so long. He hates sin, but looks over it because of His love for you.

As an ex porn addict, I wonder how much sooner I would’ve seen victory if I had done this. Sin is so sneaky the way it comes in, and what’s interesting is that it breaks down each of the things that Eleazar did. When I recall the days that I have fallen, I realize that sin and temptation did a few things to me: