Malware In The Church

We began this morning referencing viruses can run amok in our computer software. I mentioned ransomware as a type of malware that restricts access to a computer system that it infects in some way, and demands that the user pay a ransom to the operators of the malware to remove the restriction. One of the ways to treat a computer virus is to bring in a high tech computer wizard and pay him a zillion dollars to sort it out or just pay the ransom in order to set our computers free.

Sin is treatable… Jesus said that he came to give his life as a ransom for many, thus setting us free from the bondage of sin in our lives.

Jesus was a great leader in that when he saw the discord and conflict among his disciples, he stepped up to deal with it. When Jesus saw the effects of discord sown among the disciples he called them together and said, “Hey guys, stop your bickering. You are not to emulate the ways of the world where leaders lord it over those beneath them. Christians lead by serving others. Christians are considerate. Christians are not controlled by their own preferences and wants and needs… Christians are moved to be considerate of the preferences and wants and needs of others. In fact… I was am so concerned for what is best for you that I am willing to die for you.”

While it is a good thing that sin is treatable it is important to remember to prevent it from recurring.

IV. Recurring Sin is Preventable

Once your computer has been attacked by malware or a virus or a worm or a Trojan horse or spyware… you ask, “What can I do to keep this from happening again?” So as a first line of defense you install a firewall program or piece of hardware to screen out hackers and viruses and worms or whatever… preventing unauthorized access to a computer. A firewall is simply a barrier you download to keep destructive elements from invading your computer. There are many such anti-virus programs out there…

Similarly, there are some things we can do to prevent sin from recurring in our lives that is not only destructive to us personally but also hurtful to our homes and faith community.

Living in the Word of God is a primary preventive practice for every Christian. As the very basic first line of defense we live in the Word of God.

A. Live in the Word of God, Psalm 119:9, 11 and 105

Your Word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105

I still have my first bible. It was not a leather bound edition. Very basic. I don’t remember doing it but at some point I must have thought the edges had become frayed and unsightly so I used scissors to cut off the frayed edges. The result was something like shaving off your eye brows… not pretty. Some time ago I was thumbing through that bible checking out what I had underlined and I noticed that inside the front cover I had written, “This book will keep you from sin and sin will keep you from this book.”

The Psalmist asked, “How can a young person stay pure?” And then he answered his question, “By obeying your Word. I have hidden your Word in my heart that I might not sin against thee.” Psalm 119:9 and 11