Telling the truth in the wilderness; the battle within.
Genesis 4.2-7; Matthew 18.8-9
We are in the season of lent, a season of reflection and honest examination, as we are invited to imitate Jesus’ time of fasting, prayer and testing in the wilderness. Like Christ we attempt to step away from distraction so that we might prepare our hearts to celebrate Easter with sincerity and joy.
Many of us here may be able to imagine what wilderness feels like, not only in scripture but in life. In rural communities, like ours, there can be long winters of grief, illness, loneliness or quiet struggle. There are seasons when the land lies fallow and sometimes our souls do too. Lent invites us to notice those places honestly. It is a time not for shame but for truth.
This year we're following the lectio 365 for lent, learning from the wisdom of the desert fathers and mothers. Christian men and women from the 4th and 5th centuries who withdrew from busy cities into the desert so they could pursue God without distraction. This may seem extreme to us now, but what they discovered was something deeply important and extremely relevant, the greatest spiritual battles are not usually out there somewhere. But within our own hearts.
Long before the church spoke of the seven deadly sins, teachers like John Cassian described what he called the eight thoughts, deep rooted patterns that shape our desires and behaviours.
- ➢Gluttony
- ➢Lust
- ➢Greed
- ➢Anger
- ➢Dejection
- ➢Acedia (spiritual weariness)
- ➢Vainglory and
- ➢Pride
These are not just dramatic headline sins!
They are quiet habits of the heart that grow slowly over time, often unnoticed.
When we hear “gluttony” for instance we may think only of over-eating. But it may also be how we use television, shopping or scrolling through our phones to soothe a loneliness, that actually only God can truly fill.
When we hear “acedia” we might recognise it as that deep tiredness and desire to give up, it says what's the point of praying? Why bother anymore?
In genesis 4, God warns Cain that sin is “crouching at the door”. I think this is a really striking image. Sin does not always barge in, sometimes it waits patiently, quietly just outside, just on the periphery of our busy lives so that we don't notice it. So that it may get buried amongst the noise and chaos of our days and seep silently into our routines.
The question lent asks us is this, do we know what is standing at our door, what is seeping in?
It is deeply important to understand this, none of us stands above another here. We all stand together, sometimes blinkered and deaf, ignorant to the sin that may have crept in. As scripture reminds us “if we claim to be without sin we deceive ourselves”. This isn't necessarily a deliberate deception, but a deception nonetheless.
So today is not about shaming anyone.
It is about inviting each of us to ask the Holy Spirit to gently reveal to each one of us, what keeps us from living freely in God's presence.
The goal of this honesty is not guilt, it is holiness!
That said, there is a tension we must hold carefully. Christ alone has achieved righteousness for us. Through his life, death, and resurrection, our sins are forgiven and we are reconciled to God.
Salvation is a gift of grace, Not something we earn through effort or discipline
And yet scripture also calls us to resist sin actively;
“throw off everything that hinders…”
“resist the devil…”
“put to death what belongs to your earthly nature…”
Holiness is not a burden put upon us, it is God's loving work within us, shaping us into people who look more like Jesus.
The desert mothers and fathers understood this deeply. One story tells us of a brother who came repeatedly to a hermit saying “pray for me I am beset by lust”.
Each time the hermit prayed for him. Eventually, God revealed a vision; in the vision the man was sitting comfortably while the spirit of loss played beside him. An Angel stood ready to help, But the brother was entertaining the very thoughts he wished to escape.
The hermit told him, "you were toying with these thoughts”, he also taught him how to turn away from them and towards God. With prayer and guidance the brother found peace.
The battle against sin is rarely dramatic it is often small daily choices;
Turning our thoughts towards God instead of dwelling on resentment.
Practising generosity when greed whispers “keep it for yourself".
Beginning the day with gratitude when dejection settles in. A friend of mine simply writes down at the end of every day what they are grateful from the day. Some times it’s simply surviving the day and other times its just the time to have an undisturbed cup of tea.
Taking a walk and praying, taking time in appreciating God’s creation, when lethargy tells us to sit and vegetate, to give up.
Choosing not to broadcast our achievements when vainglory seeks applause. Resisting to post on Face book, are we really sharing our news or just seeking likes?
Speaking honestly with someone we trust when pride urges silence and pushes us into fear.
Discipleship does not usually happen in dramatic moments it happens in our kitchens, in fields whilst out walking, in hospital waiting rooms, and quiet living rooms or even in conversations on buses. Holiness is formed in everyday faithfulness, in choosing prayer over distraction, kindness over irritation and generosity over fear.
The promise of the gospel is that opposing sin may be hard, but it leads to life. Sin promises abundance but delivers emptiness.
Christ calls us to a path that may cost us something but gives us everything!
My hope is that today might stir within us a deeper hunger for holiness, not driven by fear but by love. A desire to become more like Christ, who gave himself for us.
And because this journey can uncover tender places, prayer ministry and pastoral support will be available after the service. We do not have to fight these battles alone, please do come and speak to either Graham or myself.
Lent is an invitation not to despair, but to transformation.
May God give us grace to tell the truth about our hearts and courage to let him shape them.
Amen,