Sin or iniquity.

3 October 2011

Psalms 32:5 I acknowledged my sin to thee, and I did not hide my iniquity; I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD"; then thou didst forgive the guilt of my sin. [Selah]

Sin is something we do that involves our own personal choice, iniquity is the sinful situation that we find ourselves in, either through birth or through the lifestyle that we grow up in. Iniquity deals with social behaviour learnt and taught to us, sin  is knowing what is wrong and then simply choosing to do it. These two aspects are closely related but are not the same, so when we grow up in a home where morality and values are taught and lived, this becomes our norm, when we do not and our parents and family allow sin to flourish then the situation becomes iniquitous.

Many people find themselves in these situations and never realise that this is the cause of the deep seated problems of living that they have to encounter. This also causes repetitive sin to flourish in families. So a child conceived out of wedlock is exposed to the iniquity of its parents, a person doing well out of selling stolen goods brings iniquity into the family and so on. Because the behaviour is acceptable it becomes tolerated so the morality and values are undermined. Most of us have found ourselves in iniquitous situations at some time or another, we either repent of it or we suffer the consequences of it. Sometimes we even invite this into our homes through watching iniquitous programmes on TV or the literature we read.

We all need to examine our situations and bring them into the loving arms of our Saviour Jesus Christ who will bring His grace and mercy to heal the pain and hurt caused by the iniquity that we have to deal with. Knowing His redemptive, restoring, reconciling power, we need to call upon Him to deal and change these situations that we are totally cleansed of them.

Be encouraged today to ask God to heal you of all iniquity that you have been exposed to.

David

Point to ponder: Sin is your choice, iniquity is allowing it to flourish in your life.  

Question to consider: Are you free of iniquity?