Sins from within

My previous post focused on avoiding the sins of society. But we can't blame all of our sins on "society." Many of our sins spring up from deep within our sinful natures.

A recent sermon by Kyle Graham, from whom I borrow some material for this post, focuses on Noah's behavior after the flood (Genesis 9:20-21, NLT),

After the flood, Noah began to cultivate the ground, and he planted a vineyard. One day he drank some wine he had made, and he became drunk and lay naked inside his tent.

The original Hebrew word, translated here as "naked," has a negative connotation, thus implying poor behavior on the part of Noah. Note that, with this event occurring after the flood, the otherwise upright Noah could not blame "society," because there was no society. It was destroyed in the flood! Noah's sin came from his own sinful nature.

Noah's story does have a happy ending, however, as evidenced by his name being mentioned in Hebrews 11 as a great example of faith. (Some people refer to that chapter as the "Hall of Fame of Faith.")

For us, Noah's story provides a cautionary tale. We cannot avoid sin by removing ourselves from society, because our inner beings also are sinful. As Jesus said in Matthew 26:41 (NLT),

Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!

So, following Jesus' advice, let us stay vigilant and pray.