Keeping out of sin sometimes sounds easier than it is. After a passionate sermon on Sunday morning, it might seem inconceivable that one would ever knowingly choose sin again. But after a series of offenses from a boss on Monday afternoon, sin might seem the only viable and rational response.
How can we keep from such sinful choices that really are irrational?
Thomas Watson offers some simple yet clear direction about how to stimulate obedience and reject sinful temptations. Contemplate the knowledge of God. Continually consider that God is omniscient and you will be helped to avoid willful sin:
The consideration of God’s omniscience would be preventive of much sin. The eye of man will restrain from sin; and will not God’s eyes much more?…Will we sin when our judge looks on? Would men speak so vainly, if they considered God overheard them? Latimer took heed to every word in his examination, when he heard the pen go behind the hangings: so, what care would persons have of their words, if they remembered God heard, and the pen is going on in heaven? Would men go after strange flesh if they believed God was a spectator of their wickedness, and would make them do penance in hell for it? Would they defraud in their dealings, and use false weights, if they thought God saw them, and for making their weights lighter would make their damnation heavier. Viewing ourselves as under the eye of God’s omniscience, would cause reverence in the worship of God. God sees the frame and carriage of our hearts when we come before him.…To think God is in this place would add wings to prayer, and oil to the flame of our devotion. [Body of Divinity.]
Words of Grace 