Without Passion, No Sin

Do not let sin exercise dominion in your mortal bodies, to make you obey their passions. 

 - Romans 6

We're always looking for people that approach life, or their work, with "passion." The word "passion" denotes a type of behavior that is carefree, almost out-of-control. You are so immersed in the moment, that you lose your sense of time. Your careful judgment goes out the window, and you are operating purely on impulse, and instinct.

In sports and many professions, and in the performing arts, this is a good thing. It is called getting "into the zone." Through years and years of training, you become so expert at something that you can execute without even thinking about it. This is "good" passion.

But Paul here makes a distinct connection from sin, to passion. Really, now, sin is meaningless if it doesn't have something to do with controlling some desire that we find it hard to resist. Sin really starts with a passion for something. A food we must eat. An insulting comment we must make. A lie we must tell. A sex-related act we must experience. First it sounds good, then we start picturing ourselves in the middle of experiencing the sin. We know it would be a mistake, but we want to do it nevertheless. We start finding ways to justify it. 

It wouldn't hurt anybody.

I can't help it, I was born that way.

It will lead to a good outcome.

I deserve it.

This is the exception.

It's actually God's will that I do this sin.

Our first impulse was the correct one: it's wrong. Don't do it.

And we know that sin is a problem, because it leads to death. All sins are based on selfishness. But God wants selflessness. If you want to be Christ-like you have to start dealing with those passions, that motivate you to do wrong. 

And this is the victory. When we conquer our sin, we can rejoice. We have put our own desires, our own sinful passions, aside, so that we can serve others, and be more like Christ - more outward-focused.

And you never regret the trade-off of meeting the needs of others, in return for controlling your own passions.