LENT DAY 29: THE BATTLE AGAINST SIN BEGINS FROM THE HEART. (Homily for March 14, 2016. Monday of the 5th Week of Lent)


Bible Study: Daniel 13, 1 to 62. And John 8, 12 to 20.


The story of Susanna and the two elders is one that tells a touching tale about the nature of the human heart and from it we can learn so many lessons on how to live above sin and the value of purity.

1. No one is above Temptations. These two elders were responsible for maintaining morality, law and order in the community. They were the judges. People actually brought cases to them for fair hearing. Dear friends, Satan will stop at nothing to get you down if only you allow him. Hence Peter wills say: “Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith.” 1 Peter 5, 8 to 9.

2. Lust Grows. These men knew they were lusting after a married woman, yet instead of them to remove themselves from the scene, they allowed their passion grow bigger and bigger. We are told: “The two elders used to see her every day, going in and walking about, and they began to desire her. And they perverted their minds and turned away their eyes from looking to Heaven or remembering righteous judgments. And they watched eagerly, day after day, to see her.”

Watch out for what you feed your mind with for out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth not only speaks, actions are carried out which only lead to destruction in the long run. Pornography is by far the most dangerous weapon of the devil in our age and time. By feeding ourselves with immoral pictures, videos and social media items, our minds are so corrupted and we find it extremely difficult to avoid sin. To win the battle against sin, we must begin to prepare by ensuring our hearts are free from immoral pictures, imaginations and the like.

3. You Always Have A Choice. The greatest lie you can ever tell yourself when it comes to sin is “I had no choice.” The case of Susana and the two elders confirms what we read at the Stations of the Cross. “Your body may be broken but no force on earth and none in heaven can take away your will. Your will is yours.” Susana was trapped, she was just about to take her bathe not knowing the two wicked beasts were hiding inside the garden. They threatened her: “Look, the garden doors are shut, no one sees us, and we are in love with you; so give your consent, and lie with us. If you refuse, we will testify against you that a young man was with you, and this was why you sent your maids away.” Susanna sighed deeply, and said, “I am hemmed in on every side. For if I do this thing, it is death for me; and if I do not, I shall not escape your hands.” Note the words of a well-trained heart. IF I DO THIS THING, IT IS DEATH FOR ME. The wages of sin is death. And the death sin brings about is worse than physical death, it is eternal death. So she said to their greatest surprise: “I choose not to do it and to fall into your hands, rather than to sin in the sight of the Lord.”
4. Lies Will Never Get You Free. The greatest scandal of humanity is that people tell lies and at times, the people we consider models whose words carry a lot of authority are the ones who tell lies the most. It was so easy for people to believe the men when they lied against Susanna. Since they could not have her body, they decided to cook up a plot to destroy her by lying against her. They thought no one was watching, of course, there were no CCTV cameras in those days, no sophisticated gadgets or mobile phones with voice recorders but GOD WAS WATCHING. There is nothing we can ever hide from God. God used Daniel to expose the men and they met their death in the end.

Dear friends, purity of heart pays. Sin can be avoided if only we guard our hearts with all diligence. Just as we do not allow filth into our rooms for health purposes, we destroy ourselves when we allow the filth of immorality lurk in our hearts. Sin ultimately brings us death. Wickedness always backfires! Lies will never get you anywhere because truth can never be hidden for long.

Let us Pray:
Lord Jesus, keep me pure and holy. Amen.


God bless you. Good morning. Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. Happy new week.

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