#58 - Joby Martin // Sin Is Not a Pet, It's an Apex Predator

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Daily Blade #58 - Joby Martin // Sin Is Not a Pet, It's an Apex Predator

Release Date: March 21, 2025

Hosts: Joby Martin (Pastor of the Church of Eleven22) and Kyle Thompson (Undaunted.Life)

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Introduction

In Episode #58 of The Daily Blade, hosts Joby Martin and Kyle Thompson delve into the profound and critical topic of sin, likening it to an apex predator that relentlessly seeks destruction. This episode, titled "Sin Is Not a Pet, It's an Apex Predator," serves as a wake-up call for Christians to recognize the destructive nature of sin and the vital importance of adhering to the guidance of Jesus Christ to lead a life of abundance and purpose.

Main Theme: Sin as an Apex Predator

Joby Martin opens the discussion by emphasizing the gravity of sin in a believer's life. He asserts that sin is not a benign force that can be managed casually but rather an apex predator determined to annihilate.

"Because that sin is crouching at the door and it wants to kill you. It's time to quit treating sin like a pet. You have an apex predator living in your life."
— Joby Martin [04:10]

This powerful analogy underscores the relentless and destructive nature of sin, portraying it as an entity that actively seeks to destroy one's spiritual and personal well-being.

Following Jesus' Command: "Do Whatever He Tells You To Do"

Drawing from John 2:5, Joby highlights the paramount importance of obedience to Jesus' instructions. He references Mary's directive at the wedding in Cana:

"Do whatever he tells you to do."
— Joby Martin [02:15]

Joby elaborates that this command is the greatest advice in the Bible for Jesus followers. He emphasizes that true Christian living transcends mere categorization of actions into right and wrong; it involves a committed submission to Jesus' will, which leads to meaningful and sustained righteousness.

The Path of Life vs. Path of Destruction

Referencing John 10:14-15, Joby contrasts two distinct life paths:

1. Path of Destruction: Choosing to follow worldly or self-driven desires leads to actions that result in personal and spiritual demise.

   "The decisions that we make put us on a path that leads somewhere. And one of those paths leads to killing and stealing and destroying."
   — Joby Martin [03:30]

2. Path of Abundant Life: Submitting to the Good Shepherd's guidance fosters a life of abundance and fulfillment.

   "Every single time we take a step of obedience in the direction of the Good shepherd, it leads to abundant life."
   — Joby Martin [04:55]

This dichotomy illustrates the eternal consequences of one's choices, urging listeners to align their decisions with divine guidance to attain true life.

Practical Applications: Generosity, Tithing, Overcoming Sin

Generosity and Tithing

Joby stresses the significance of generosity and tithing as tangible expressions of obedience to God. He challenges the conventional mindset of prioritizing personal gain:

"When we are generous, when we bring our first and our best to Christ... it leads to life."
— Joby Martin [04:10]

He encourages believers to invest in gospel kingdom work rather than fleeting worldly rewards, assuring that such acts of faithfulness result in spiritual prosperity.

Overcoming Sin

Addressing specific sins such as pornography, Joby warns against underestimating their destructive impact:

"Brother, you do not have it under control. You have a thief and the only thing he wants to do is steal, kill and destroy you."
— Joby Martin [03:50]

He elucidates how tolerating and justifying sin opens the door for its destructive forces, ultimately leading to personal ruin and fractured relationships. Joby calls for repentance and decisive action to reject sin's allure, urging listeners to align their lives wholly with the Good Shepherd.

Conclusion

In wrapping up the episode, Joby Martin delivers a compelling exhortation:

"Whatever you do, do whatever he tells you to do. Amen."
— Joby Martin [05:30]

He reinforces the necessity of unwavering obedience to Christ as the key to navigating life's challenges and avoiding the destructive pathways paved by sin. Joby invites listeners to reflect on their current life paths, challenging them to choose life and abundance through faithful adherence to God's word.

Notable Quotes

• "Mary looks at a group of servants at a wedding... do whatever he tells you to do."
  — Joby Martin [02:15]

• "Sin is crouching at the door and it wants to kill you... apex predator living in your life."
  — Joby Martin [04:10]

• "When we are generous... it leads to life."
  — Joby Martin [04:10]

• "You are tolerating the enemy, trying to kill, steal and destroy."
  — Joby Martin [03:50]

• "Do whatever he tells you to do."
  — Joby Martin [05:30]

Final Thoughts

Episode #58 of The Daily Blade serves as a potent reminder of the pervasive and destructive nature of sin. Joby Martin and Kyle Thompson effectively communicate the necessity of intentional and obedient living under the guidance of Jesus Christ. By framing sin as an apex predator and presenting the Good Shepherd as the source of abundant life, the hosts provide valuable insights and practical advice for Christians striving to apply God's word to their daily lives.

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Transcript

[A]

Welcome to the Daily Blade. The word of God is described as the sword of the spirit, the primary spiritual weapon in the Christian's armor against the forces of evil. Your hosts are Joby Martin and Kyle Thompson, and they stand ready to equip men for the fight. Let's sharpen up. All right.

[B]

Last day of John, chapter 10, verse 14. Jesus says, I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me, just as the Father knows me. And I know the Father, and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock and one shepherd. And again, I'm repeating from yesterday. Verse 5. A stranger, they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of the stranger. Let me ask you this, what is he telling you to do? What is Jesus telling you to do? The greatest advice in all of the Bible. At some week, I'm going to cover this in its entirety, but In John chapter 2, verse 5, Mary looks at a group of servants at a wedding in Cana after they'd run out of wine, and she says these words, do whatever he tells you to do. It's the best advice I can find in what it means to be a Jesus follower that you are to just do whatever it is that Jesus tells you to do. Now here's what I need you to understand is that being a Christian is not merely sin management. And it's not enough to just think in categories of right and wrong. There are things that are right and there are things that are wrong. But if you think in categories of right and wrong, it will never be enough to sustain you to do the right thing. Some of you are by nature or wired to do the right thing. Well, God bless you. Some of us by nature are wired to just want to rebel and do the wrong thing. But listen, following after Jesus, it's not just about right or wrong. John chapter 10 lets us know this is about life and death. That the decisions that we make put us on a path that leads somewhere. And one of those paths leads to killing and stealing and destroying. One of those paths when we choose to reject what God tells us to do and instead we either obey the world or the devil or our flesh. It's not just that we do wrong things, it's that death and destruction are at the end of this path. The other option is when we submit and surrender our will to the will of the good shepherd and when we hear the voice of the good shepherd and we do what he tells us to do, listen, especially when we don't understand, leads to abundant life because it leads to him. I mean, when it comes to money, if we obey what the world tells us and says, you better take care of you first. I'm telling you, it's going to lead to your own death and destruction. Because at the end of the day, you may have a pile of money, but all you're going to have is you. But when we are generous, when we bring our first and our best to Christ, when we tithe, when we say, all right, God, it's all yours. And even though my tax accountant doesn't think it makes any sense, I'm going to start with at least 10% and bring back to your gospel kingdom work. Not just random charities, but gospel kingdom work. It leads to life. Let me ask you this. What sin in your life are you tolerating or justifying? Because that sin is crouching at the door and it wants to kill you. It's time to quit treating sin like a pet. You have an apex predator living in your life. If you're tolerating and justifying sin, and the moment it can, it's going to take you out. Listen, some of you are looking at pornography and you're justifying it and you're saying it's not that big a deal. Man, I got this under control. Brother, you do not have it under control. You have a thief and the only thing he wants to do is steal, kill and destroy you. And you think it's just pictures, but it's not. First of all, you're participating in the destruction of that girl's life and all the people that abused her and the human trafficking that's happening. And you're going to kill your marriage and you're going to destroy your moral authority with your children or that girl at work that you're flirting with. You think I've got this under control? No, no, no, brother. You are tolerating the enemy, trying to kill, steal and destroy. So when you go to work tomorrow and you decide to flirt with her a little bit, what you are doing is you're just marching down a pat leads to destroying your marriage and destroying your witness and destroying her family. When you go to work tomorrow and you have the opportunity to lie to get ahead, it's not just a little thing that you can manage the consequences of this is the devil baiting you down a path that he's going to laugh at you when you get to the end of it when you either get fired or locked up. You see, the other option is that Jesus is the Good Shepherd. And every single time we take a step of obedience in the direction of the Good shepherd, it leads to abundant life. Whether it's turning away from sin or being generous or being faithful to our wife, or you get that nudge of the Holy Spirit to just send that encouraging text. Every single time we hear the voice of the Good shepherd and do what he says, it leads to abundant life. So it is your direction, not your intention, that will determine your destination. So brothers, let me ask you, what path are you on? Are you on a path to destruction or to abundant life? The good news of the gospel, though, is even if you were on a path to destruction today, you can repent. Repent means to turn around and you could turn your back to the world and the lies of this devil and you could turn your face towards the Good shepherd and march in the direction that he is calling you. Whatever you do, do whatever he tells you to do. Amen.

[A]

Thank you for listening to today's episode. Before you go, if you want to help, equip other men for the fight, Share this podcast around and leave us a five star rating and review. Stay sharp.