Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale Daily DevotionalSample

Inherently Harmful It has been well said that we are not so much punished for our sins as we are punished by our sins. The point here is that the effects of sin's presence in our lives is punishment in and of itself because it's so inherently harmful to us. That's the underlying essence of David's cry: "My iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden they are too heavy for me." Understand that God didn't create human beings to handle sin. It's incompatible with our being. Sin is simply bad for us all the way around-physically, emotionally, and spiritually. In the long run, sin will always leave us the worse for wear, and will, without fail, get more out of us than we ever get out of it. As a matter of fact, it will drive us to the point of desperation where we cry out along with David, "I just can't carry this anymore. It's too heavy for me!" Here's what we need to know about sin: It's inherently harmful to us. We were never meant to harbor it or carry it around, and yet we often do to our own detriment. God commands us to steer clear of it, not because He wants to spoil our fun or make us miserable, but because He's a loving Father who isn't into things that hurt us. Heavenly Father, we need to see sin the way You do, we need to see how it's inherently harmful to us, and we need to heed your call to avoid it whenever possible. Help us in each of these areas, and thank You for sending Your Son to bear the burden of sin that we're incapable of carrying. The effects of sin's presence in our lives is punishment in and of itself because it's so inherently harmful to us. Sin is bad for us physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Think about it... What does this passage reveal to me about God? What does this passage reveal to me about myself? Based on this, what changes do I need to make? What is my prayer for today?