Psalm 101:4 is not gentle. It’s not poetic. It’s not “process language.” It’s war language.
“I will not be involved in anything dishonest. I will have nothing to do with evil.” — Psalm 101:4 (ERV)
Read that again: NOTHING.
Not “less evil.” Not “less dishonest.” Not “I’m improving.”
Nothing.
This is where most men get exposed, because we love “management.” We love coping strategies. We love moderation. We love “I’m trying.”
But sin doesn’t want to be managed. Sin wants to be fed until it owns you.
The Real Problem: Sin Escalates
You don’t get to keep a “small” sin. That’s a myth.
“People are tempted when their own evil desire leads them away and traps them. This desire leads to sin. And sin brings death.” — James 1:14–15 (ERV)
Notice the chain: desire → trap → sin → death.
That’s the system. Sin always grows. Always.
How You Actually Defeat It
The Bible doesn’t say “reduce sin.” It says kill it.
“So put to death anything in you that is only earthly…” — Colossians 3:5 (ERV)
That’s not motivational. That’s an order.
But here’s the part most men miss: you don’t kill sin with raw willpower. You kill sin by replacing the fuel source.
“Live by the Spirit, and you will not satisfy the desires of your sinful self.” — Galatians 5:16 (ERV)
That verse is a cheat code. It tells you the mechanism:
Feed the Spirit → starve the flesh.
MOG Method: The 3-Strike Kill Shot
This is how you make Psalm 101:4 real.
Strike 1: Identify your “dishonesty.”
Not just lying. Dishonesty includes:
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secret compromise (“I’m fine” when you’re not)
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double life habits
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“I’ll stop later” deals with yourself
“You cannot hide anything from God. Everything is clear and open…” — Hebrews 4:13 (ERV)
Strike 2: Cut the supply line.
Don’t pray for victory while keeping the door open.
“Don’t give the devil a way to defeat you.” — Ephesians 4:27 (ERV)
If the phone at night destroys you, it’s not “self-control practice.” It’s a trap. Remove it.
Strike 3: Replace with obedience.
You don’t stop sin by “not sinning.” You stop sin by filling your life with something stronger.
“Be filled with the Spirit.” — Ephesians 5:18
“Let the word of Christ live in you richly…” — Colossians 3:16
Encouragement That’s Actually True
This is hard, yes. But God does not command what He won’t empower.
“God is faithful. He will not let you be tempted more than you can bear. With the temptation, He will also provide a way out…” — 1 Corinthians 10:13
Your job is not to be perfect. Your job is to stop making peace with evil.
A MOG doesn’t manage sin.
A MOG executes it.
God Bless You!
Smitty