How serious are we about sin? The Bible reminds us how seriously God views it. The power of sin to entice, entrap, drag us away from our faith, harden our hearts to God, and ultimately engulf us in its power is real and destructive (Hebrews 2:1, 3:12-14, 6:1-8, 10:23-29). Encouragement — especially in its full biblical range of meanings of encourage, comfort, and correct — is one of the great blessings we can bring to each other. Loving Christian friends who encourage each other daily can neutralize sin’s influence and destructive allure. “Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” Hebrews 3:13.
January 8
Because of the Lord‘s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. —Lamentations 3:22-23. What sustained you through the