I was listening to a message yesterday, the topic was sin.  The speaker talked about how our culture is breaking down, how sexual sin, homosexuality, divorce,  abortion, are all things that are rapidly becoming more prevalent and acceptable.  But he made an interesting point, although many Christians take a firm stand on these “big sins,” we need to guard ourselves in the same way from the less visible, sins that destroy our spirits, unforgiveness, gossip, lying, jealously, and the areas of compromise that gradually build strongholds in our hearts.

Mark 2:16

Job 17:1, 9
My spirit is broken, my days are cut short, and the grave awaits me.  
Never the less, the righteous will hold to their ways, and those with clean hands will grow stronger.
 

Acts 20:24  "But none of these things move me nor do I count my life dear to myself so that I may finish my race with joy..."
 

Acts 15:1, 2
Some men came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the brothers: "Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved." This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.

Acts 16:3, 4

As I read Acts 13-l4, I was struck by the difficulty of the mission Paul and Barnabas received as they were commissioned; it says that as they  (the prophets and teachers at Antioch) ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”  And as they went and were faithful to that call, they chose over and over to suffer rejection and persecution.  Even the cities who once received the message of salvation turned and were persuaded by the Jews to stone Paul in 14:19.  I also was challenged by the way

Acts 12:22-24
They shouted, "This is the voice of a god, not of a man."  Immediately, because Herod did not give the praise to God, an angel of the lord struck him down and he was eaten by worms and died.  But the word of God continued to increase and spread.

James 5:16
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

Acts 3:16

By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong.  It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.