"Separation Between You and Your God"

“… your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.” (Isaiah 59:2 ESV)

As Brother Hanline would say, here we are “reading someone else's mail.” However, God's principle in this message given to Isaiah is wholly applicable to us today. At the beginning of Isaiah 59, Isaiah recites Israel's iniquities and how, because of their sins, they have placed a wall between them and the Lord. Our sins are not different, and while the wall dampens our relationship with God, there is a second serious side effect.

One of the most prolific struggles today for Christians is the overt presence of sexuality in mainstream society. It is everywhere, television, radio, and floods the internet with pornography that you can get anywhere, even on your phone. For the Christian, this presents all manner of temptation.

Sin is sin, and while some are called an abomination, they are all sin, and even the smallest of sins against an all-holy God leaves the possibility of lethal repercussions for the sinner. Sins against the body are grave for reasons many do not realize. Self-pleasure, sexual deviance, or sexual immorality is not just sin. It weakens our spirit, and Satan wants his demons to steal everything they can in what becomes a transaction of the spirit. In John 10:10, Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” In these sexual sins, marriages are ruined, families destroyed, but even worse, the peace of the Lord is stolen from those held captive by these sins.

We are given spiritual power in our salvation. In Luke 10:19, Jesus said, “Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.” That hidden illicit relationship, those moments of self-pleasure, the sins of the body, weaken the authority of God that resides in us. Christ resides in us, the Holy Spirit lives in us, and sins of the body, while secreted from those around us, are not hidden from the Lord or the enemy.

The suppression of the Spiritual authority of Christ residing in us leaves us vulnerable to spiritual attack. The longer the sins against the body continue, the greater the damage becomes. Even worse, the sinner may not even recognize what is happening to them. Sampson is an excellent example.

Sampson, a Judge of Israel, given great strength and power, was a lustful man. His sins against the body in his lust separated him from God, and he had no idea it had happened until it was too late, and he was executed. We see this in Judges 16:20, “And she said, 'The Philistines are upon you, Samson!” And he awoke from his sleep and said, “I will go out as at other times and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the Lord had left him.”

Those in repeated sexual sin may not see spiritual attacks, yet many do. The guilt and shame following hidden sin is the conviction of the Spirit. But it is our shame the enemy uses as a tool against us; guilt is a knowledge of failure, and we repent when we are guilty. The enemy may try to use this, but we know that we who are saved are forgiven in our repentance. Repetitive hidden sin causes shame. Satan uses this in an attempt to make us believe we are not worthy of God, we are flawed, and not wanted by God. That our sin is so great that God could never forgive us. All lies, all false, but in a suppressed spiritual state, a crack may form, allowing the enemy to lead us from Christ. We may feel a heaviness upon us, the result of demonic oppression. One may notice they feel their prayers are ineffective, they feel spiritually depressed, and anxiety overtakes them; connection and boldness in the gospel have been compromised.

Hidden sin is devastating because it affects every aspect of one's life. Lust and sexual immorality lead to lies, adultery, and soon the sinner is so distanced from God that the enemy overwhelms them in demonic attacks. Sin is never one-dimensional, and repeated sin exponentially affects the sinner. But, for those who are saved, there is hope. Repent, truly changing your mind about where you are spiritually, and turn back to God in prayer for forgiveness and restoration. Focus your life back on Christ, remembering He alone satisfies every need, every desire, and want. We cannot live in compromise with one foot in the world and one foot with Christ.

In one's restoration, the power of the Lord is rebuilt from within; nothing demonic can ever overpower the power of God. His mercy, grace, and power always override and restore the repentant sinner. For those who do not know the Lord as their Savior but feel that pull, the restorative power of the Lord is present in one’s salvation. This means that through faith in Christ, one can experience a profound transformation, where their past sins are forgiven, and they are made righteous and whole.

Are you held captive by hidden sin? This temptation is present in every aspect of our lives; it is forced upon us, and it can be a struggle if one is susceptible to these sins. If you know the Lord, cling to Him and remember the treasure He is. Pray for repentance, pray for restoration, and forgiveness. Call out to Him today if you do not know the Lord as your Savior. Do not wait, your eternal salvation rests in choosing faith in Christ.

Grace and Peace!