The Deceitfulness of Sin

Today’s Bible Reading:  Hosea 6-9; Hebrews 3

Journal Entry on a passage from today’s reading:

Topic: Sin

SCRIPTURE:  Hebrews 3:12-15

¹² Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; ¹³ but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. ¹⁴ For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, ¹⁵ while it is said:

"Today, if you will hear His voice,

Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion." (Heb 3:12-15 NKJV)

OBSERVATION:

This passage in context is drawing a comparison to the Old Testament lessons learned by the children of Israel who rebelled against God in the wilderness and consequently were denied entrance into the Promised Land. This is an admonition to remain steadfast in faith in Christ Jesus and a warning against allowing our hearts to become, “hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”

Believers in Jesus Christ have the promise of God’s rest (v. 18). Whether this is taken to be the place of eternal rest and peace in heaven, or the ability to experience His peace and rest on earth this side of heaven, sin threatens to block our access to that place.

APPLICATION:

I am intrigued by the phrase, “hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” in verse 13. Everyone, I’m sure, desires to be in a place of rest or contentment with who they are and how they are living. Likewise, no one would consciously and willfully plunge themselves into a place of discomfort or despair. It is the “deceitfulness” of sin that leads people to become rebellious to God’s truth and hardened against following His ways. The deceitfulness of sin tells people that however they want to live is okay; they don’t need to follow the teachings of an antiquated book or believe in a mythical God.  Deceitfulness convinces people that sin is not really sin, therefore there is no need to repent since there is no sin. And don’t you dare try to tell them otherwise! Their hardened hearts will not hear of it. As the rebellious followers of Moses, they are actually denying themselves access to a place of true rest.

So, how are we to respond to this? We are called to, “exhort one another daily, while it is called ‘Today.’” The day is not over, time is not up, hope is still alive… “Today, if you will hear His voice…” (3:15) “a promise remains of entering His rest” (4:1).

PRAYER:

Lord, thank You for the peace and rest You give me, both today and for eternity. Keep my heart pliable and soft that I not become hardened to Your paths. Give me Your heart of compassion for others. Soften hardened hearts by Your Holy Spirit and lead us according to Your benevolent will. 

In Christ Jesus. Amen.  –AP