The word camouflage can be described as the act, means or result of obscuring things to deceive an enemy. As the church, we have been commissioned to say what God says. If we are Christ followers, He expects for you and I to represent Him and His standards. When we bow down to the culture, it does not please Jesus. When we tell someone that their sin is ok because “we have all sinned”, Jesus does not smile at that. Whenever Jesus met someone, he would always tell them their sin has been forgiven and go and sin no more (John 8:11; John 5:14 just to name a few)! When we fail to tell someone that their sin is wrong and God is not pleased, God holds us accountable for not speaking truth to them. On today, I pray that the Holy Spirit will convict your hearts and reveal to you that you and I cannot camouflage sin in the name of love.

      “Don’t Camouflage Sin in the Name of Love” in the area of homosexuality. God’s design since the beginning in Genesis has always been male and female as it is written in Genesis 1:27. The war on marriage is the mastermind of our enemy, Satan. If you understand marriage, it is a representation of Christ and the Church. It is vital that you and I stand against homosexual unions (I will not say marriage). We can neither be cosigners on this lifestyle. Romans 1:26-27 is clear about how God sees homosexuality. It says, “…Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.” The word of God is very clear: homosexuality is a sin. It says in Leviticus 18:22, “Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable.” You and I must say what God’s word says!

     “Don’t Camouflage Sin in the Name of Love” in the area of fornication and adultery. The Christian Post did a study in 2011. It found that 80% of unmarried evangelical young adults have had sex. Yes, this is you and me. Hebrews 13:4 says, “Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.” Galatians 5:19a and the last part of verse 21 goes a step further and says, “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication….those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” I found a Today’s Christian Women article entitled, “Why Affairs Happen”. It stated that 65% of men and 55% of women will commit adultery by the age of 40. In addition to this, a Christianity Today survey found that 23% of the 300 pastors they surveyed admitted to committing adultery while in ministry. Whether it is pornography, inappropriate sexual behavior or ungodly communication that you do not want your spouse to hear, we must call it what it is which is adultery (sin). This is why Proverbs 6:32 says, “He/She who commits adultery lacks sense; he/she who does it destroys himself/herself.” Sin is self-destruction so with your family or friends “Don’t Camouflage Sin in the Name of Love”.

     “Don’t Camouflage Sin in the Name of Love” in the area of justice. Justice is not about your skin color. I love how Tony Evans defines justice. He says, “Biblical justice seeks to protect individual liberty while promoting personal responsibility.” In order for there is be justice, we must look at God’s word for it and not our opinions, the culture or our feelings. Proverbs 28:5 says, “Evildoers do not understand what is right, but those who seek the LORD understand it fully.” God’s justice is further explained in Romans 12:19. It says, “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.” Please do not be deceived. God is a God of justice. Looting and rioting is not justice; it is anarchy and sin.

     Lastly, “Don’t Camouflage Sin in the Name of Love” in the area of hatred. In the culture today, you would think if you are “black” then you have to hate “white” people. Our world would have us to think that all “white” people are racist and men are the scum of the Earth. This is a lie from the pit of hell. I know of “black” people who are racist simply because of the color of someone’s skin or where someone lives. This is not Christ-like. It is sin. Proverbs 10:12 tells us, “Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all transgressions.” We must tell our brothers and sisters that this kind of talk is hatred. 1 John 2:9-11 reminds us, “The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now. The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes.” Hatred, racism and/or prejudices are a matter of one’s heart and it is sin.

     My brothers and sisters, you and I can not remain silent on these issues. Anything that goes against God and His word is SIN! God is not pleased with us, the Church. We are to love like Christ loves and tell them about their sin. 1 John 4:7-8 reminds us, ”Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” You and I can tell someone about their sin without breaking their spirit. We can tell someone about their sin without condemning them. We cannot forget the Word of God so “Don’t Camouflage Sin in the Name of Love”.