Idolatry isn't tolerated - Addison Zanda

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Throughout John Locke's letter, we see many life lessons and applicable content to not only help us, but show some truth in a different context from what we've learned. Locke provides a powerful quote in his "A Letter About Toleration" that hit me in a hard way. "You say: 'But idolatry shouldn't be tolerated, because it is a sin.' If you said 'Idolatry should be avoided, because it is a sin', that would be right."

This quote kinda reminded me on our temptations we may face in life, whether it big or small, a sin is a sin. 1 John 3:8-10 says, "But when people keep on sinning, it shows they belong to the devil, who have been sinning since the beginning. But the son of God came to destroy the works of the devil... Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God." John believers against allowing Satan to tempt them to wrong actions. This passage is not about people who are working to overcome a particular sin, it refers to people who constantly try to justify wrong actions. That attitude comes from the enemy. Too often we see temptation as a "once and for all" proposition. In reality, we need to constantly be on guard against the devil's ongoing attacks. The Holy Spirit gives us power the power to avoid giving in to temptation. But he won't force us to use his temptation escape route. We must choose to do so. How will you choose to overcome temptation?

P.S. Don't persecute me for not using the whole verse from 1 John:/

I commented on Moriah and Jamie's post


Comments

Gabby Strahan said…
I so support and love your post Addison. In order to turn away from sin, we must not justify our actions and take full responsibility for them. This creates a heart of humility and a teachable spirit that enables God to use it to turn to His ways instead of our own. I like that you brought attention to our free will to choose to not give into areas we are tempted in or to fall into temptation. This is the beauty of the gospel, choice.
November 4, 2019 at 6:24 PM
Jamie Peters said…
I want to take your point a little further in saying that as far as temptation and sin goes, we do not sin until we give into the temptation. It can be a little confusing, but think of it like fishing. We are the fish, and Satan is the fishermen. We are lured (hehe) in by things that seem good on the outside, like a juicy worm to a fish. However, until we bite down on the hook, we aren't aware of the danger that we are in. Those that sin repeatedly have been dragged behind the boat for quite a while now, and they don't see the difference. Letting go finally allows the sinner to feel the pain that they were in.
November 4, 2019 at 7:11 PM
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