The Dangerous Progression of Sin
Matthew 26:69-75
1. Sin Has Immediate Effects:
a. We Flee from the Light. (Matthew 26:69-71a, Matthew 10:32-33, John 3:19-20)
Matthew 10:32-33, Therefore, everyone who will acknowledge me before others, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever denies me before others, I will also deny him before my Father in heaven.
John 3:19-20, This is the judgment: The light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the light and avoids it, so that his deeds may not be exposed.
b. We Flee from Jesus. (Matthew 26:71a-72, Isaiah 59:2)
Isaiah 59:2, Indeed, the Lord’s arm is not too weak to save, and his ear is not too deaf to hear. But your iniquities are separating you from your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not listen.
2. Sin Becomes “Easier” and More Intense. (Matthew 26:72-74, Luke 22:59)
Luke 22:59, About an hour later, another kept insisting, “This man was certainly with him, since he’s also a Galilean.”
3. Sin Will Find You Out. (Matthew 26:74b-75, Numbers 32:23, Psalm 51:10, Hebrews 10:23-25, Galatians 6:1-2)
Numbers 32:23, But if you don’t do this, you will certainly sin against the Lord; be sure your sin will catch up with you.
Psalm 51:10, God, create a clean heart for me and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore the joy of your salvation to me, and sustain me by giving me a willing spirit.
Hebrews 10:23-25, Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, since he who promised is faithful. And let us watch out for one another to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.
Galatians 6:1-2, Brothers and sisters, if someone is overtaken in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual, restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so that you also won’t be tempted. Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.