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Readings:

1 John 3:8 – He that walks in and makes a path to sin is of the devil; for the devil was the first to walk in and lead others into sin …

Genesis 3:4 – … You shall not surely (really) die.

Proverbs 4:7 – Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting, get understanding.

Let’s get understanding

In order to understand the power of your enemy, you must understand the weapon(s) used against you. In this case, the weapon is sin. So, let’s get some understanding of sin.

Sin: the Greek word used in 1 John 3:8 is hamartia. Hamartia comes from the compound root words – alpha and meros. Alpha when prefixed to a base word denotes a negative, such as un- or not. The second word is meros which means a part of a whole or your part assigned to you (your lot or destiny). This compound gives us the Greek word hamartano – to be without a share in the whole, to miss the mark, to be in err or to wander off (go wrong). However, to simply wander off or err in our ways does not make us sinners. How? Why? Paul says in Romans 4:15 …for where no law is, there is no transgression (sin, error of way). And again, Romans 5:13 says sin was already in the world before the law was given, but when there is no law our errors or wrongs cannot be counted against us. This brings us to hamartia – sin. Hamartia is the missing of the mark or error of our ways where God has made clear His way or will – Law. Sin is not merely an error of ways but rather a breaking of the law, a crossing over of set boundaries (trespass).

God is the giver of life. Therefore, in this life God is the Whole. His ways, commandments and will are the Whole. Sin is to depart from the whole. “You shall not surely die,” the devil said. The devil is the deceiver, the tempter. His weapon is to cause us to depart from the Whole. Sin separates us from God. There is no life apart from God. So Yes, you will surely (really) die. But not as you think. Death is life without God.

All mankind was sentenced to death through the sin of one – life apart from God. We were driven out. But God, in His infinite mercy and love for us, had a plan of redemption. A path back to the promised land for the wandering man. 1 John 3:8 … For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.

There is much more to discuss on this matter. But I close with, Come Back!

Love you and Until next time.

God bless you and keep you and make HIS face shine on you and be gracious to you and fill you with HIS peace.