Learn from Tiger Woods
and Master Sin
truth about the power of sin

By Daniel Rendelman ~ emetministries@gmail.com

The hidden dangers of sin can be learned from Tiger Woods' rise to fame as a professional golfer, fall from grace because of infidelity, and returned to the game at the Master's tournament in the Spring of 2010. Tiger became a role model for many because of his athletic abilities and charity work. But, his success in golf didn't guarantee his own personal integrity. Quite possibly, his position before millions placed him on a pedestal that was sure to result in his fall. What goes up must come down. Anytime we look to man for inspiration we will eventually be disappointed, as imperfections will always become prevalent. Sin comes natural to humanity. Or does it?

The mighty Tiger's problems illustrate the power that sin has to confuse the mind and blind the heart. Sin comes from the temptations that barrages people daily. These temptations originate from an outside spiritual source. While most people believe that Adam committed the first sin because of his "sinful nature," the Bible doesn't teach such. (In fact the phrase "sinful nature" never appears in the King James Version Bible.)

In Genesis 3, Adam and Eve were tempted with desires and thoughts by an independent force called the "serpent." It was not their own idea to violate the Almighty's commands. Nor did the first couple bring sin into the world. The Scriptures record that the original sin was actually committed by an angel that led a rebellion against the Most High. Since creation the accuser (satan in Hebrew) and his minions have led a spiritual war against mankind. The adversary comes as an angel of light and tempts through desires and thoughts that may at first seem pleasing, but in the end will result in disaster. Big sins (like adultery) and little sins (like stretching the truth) both welcome the presence of the kingdom of darkness.

Just ask Tiger Woods, and he would agree that simply because something seems good and feels good, doesn't mean it is for the good. Plus, when a person agrees with satan to disobey the scripture, a door to the enemy is opened. With rebellion, the entity of sin is empowered within the flesh to act as it independently desires. The Apostle Paul wrote of this when he said, "We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do and if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me," Romans 7:14-17. Sin is more than just an act. It is a living spiritual power that can actually overcome individuals. Sin has influence, but it doesn't have to win.

Tiger could have prevailed over his lusts, and not allowed the sin in his flesh to manifest, if he would have applied the principle of James 4:7. This passage teaches that the enemy is defeated when a person submits to the Words of the Bible and then resists and renounces the tempting thoughts of sin.

Henry Wright of Be In Health Ministries teaches these steps to freedom from the power of sin:
• Recognize -You must recognize what it is
• Responsibility - You must take responsibility for what you recognize
• Repent - Repent to YHWH for participating with what you recognize
• Renounce - You must make what you recognize your enemy & renounce it
• Remove - Get rid of it once and for all
• Resist - When it tries to come back, resist it
• Rejoice - Give YHWH thanks for setting you free
• Restore - Help someone else get free

Tiger Woods is still an example for anyone who seeks to live a life of victory over sin and holiness unto YHWH. For whether Woods wins or looses the Masters doesn't really matter to the millions that have been affected by his story. What matters the most is that we can learn from this sports god's fall, that no one is immune to the living spiritual force of sin.