Can't Stop Won't Stop

Why do they make you wear a helmet when you SkyDive? Rock climb?

Why do they make helmets at all?

Why are there so many safety precautions and harnesses for rollercoasters?

The answer to these questions and many more is simple.  Because we as humans have decided that instead of avoiding the things that could very well kill us immediately, we will just create something to "protect" us should it go wrong.  We don't want to give up the thrill of doing the activity, we just want to rationalize it in our heads.  We "Can't Stop Won't Stop" making poor decisions and putting ourselves in dangerous circumstances.Now don't get me wrong, this ins't me telling you to stay inside in a bubble for the rest of your life, I just want you to think about the concept.Now read this passage written by Paul out of Romans...warning it can be a little confusing if you try and read it fast.  Focus on it and try to understand what Paul is saying here...

Romans 7:15-25"I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.  So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging waragainst the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!

In short, Paul is having the same struggle we have nearly every day.  We know what is good, and what we should be doing, but we can't always bring ourself to do that.  We also know what is bad, and when we start doing that certain thing, we can't stop ourselves from doing it.  Paul knows that it is his sinful nature that is causing him to do this, but he also calls out that Jesus Christ can deliver him through it!So what are you trying to tell me? Simply put, avoid temptation.  Avoid putting yourself in those situations where you would be tempted.  You don't need a parachute if you never get in the airplane!

• You don't have to worry about being tempted to...
  • ...get drunk if you don't hang out at the bar, or get rid of the alcohol in your house
  • ...look at pornography if you block your computer from those sites
  • ...and on and on and on....

Will you still be tempted?  Yes, of course you will, but there are certain things you can take steps to avoid.  You also know what is good and what is bad.  While your sinful nature may encourage you to make the wrong decision sometimes, know that you are not just solely filled with sinful nature...the Holy Spirit is within you as well, and It has already won that battle!  And when you are tempted, because you will be, just remember as Paul did, that Jesus will carry you through!Change the culture to "Can't Stop Won't Stop" to "Can Stop Will Stop"