Breaking the silence
Sin; it would seem to be a word that we don’t really talk about or think about very much. It is uncomfortable to talk about as if just thinking about sin is a sin itself. We don’t want anyone focusing on our sins and we don’t want to confront others about their sins, unless we are talking about the sins of a group that we aren’t associated with. Apparently, we only want to talk about sin when it can’t actually help anyone.
Why do I even bother? I should just give up! What’s the point of trying? I’ll never do anything right! I always screw things up! Maybe I’m just not supposed to succeed. I guess I’m just not that good. I don’t even matter. Why try? I guess they were right; I just can’t do it. Do any of these sound familiar? I know for a fact I have thought or said each of these on multiple occasions. Quite simply, they are the clichés of a loser.
I’m sure when I mention the word “battlefield,” we all instantly have images in our head. Images that for many of us have been shaped by the movies we watch and the video games we play. We imagine gun fire, explosions, and the screams of the injured. Depending on which battles you imagine, you may see dense jungles, vast open countryside or heavily bombed cities. We all at least have some idea of what a battle is, what it looks like and what it feels like. However, while we allow Hollywood to continuously pull us back into war both historical and imaginative, we consistently choose to ignore the battle that is taking place all around us; a spiritual war that is the epitome of good vs. evil.
Why does God let bad things happen to good people? How many times have you heard or asked that question? I bet it has been more than once or twice. Often it is offered by non-believers as some sort of backwards proof that God doesn’t exist. Why is my food burnt? Well, clearly chefs don’t exist! Gordon Ramsey is lie!
Another damaging response I’ve heard is that the person was being punished for the sin in their life. While we can see in the Bible that God will correct people that are sinning, this response has too many holes in it to be a blanket answer. I also believe if this is the case you would already know you were being corrected and would not need to be informed by a third party.
I’m sure you are familiar with the story of Jonah. However, just in case you aren’t, I’ll give you the quick rundown. Jonah, a prophet, was told to go to Ninevah to tell the people there God was going to destroy them for their evil ways. Jonah ran away, got on a boat, was tossed overboard during a storm, and swallowed by a great fish. While in the fish for three days and nights, Jonah had a change of heart and prayed for a rescue. The fish then spit him up on dry land.