Ridding Yourself of Sin in a Sinful World

BY: Carolyn Johnson, Former Director, Restored Marriage

We recently visited the Great Smoky Mountains, where we met a relative who was visiting from Oklahoma. All of us had spent our childhood camping with family, so hiking and viewing nature from the outdoors is a favorite pastime. We were at the top of one of the highest peaks taking pictures, and I noticed there were hundreds of dead fir trees. An article posted in the parking lot explained what is happening to the trees:
 
“The balsam woolly adelgid (Adelges piceae) (BWA) is a tiny, soft-bodied insect that appears when adult as a white, woolly spot on true firs. Fraser fir is the most seriously affected of all fir species by BWA feeding and is killed after several years of infestation. Before death occurs, BWA damage seriously affects the growth and appearance of the tree. This pest is largely responsible for the decline of Fraser fir in the natural fir-spruce family in western North Carolina, southeastern Virginia, and eastern Tennessee and continues to pose a serious threat to Fraser fir Christmas tree growers in the southern Appalachians. Adelgids are small and difficult to find on the tree. It takes several months before trees develop symptoms of insect damage. Because of this, BWA can increase unnoticed and cause serious losses to unsuspecting Christmas tree growers. Luckily, BWA spreads slowly. Through conscientious scouting and control, serious losses can be avoided.”
 
Contemplating the demise of the fir trees, I thought about the effects of sin in a Christian’s life. Because sin separates us from our Father’s love and protection, just like with the fir trees, if the church becomes infected with the sin of adultery and divorce, our spiritual growth and even our physical appearance, will be severely affected. We often hear a CK say, “I don’t even recognize my spouse because they have changed so much.” Yes, they indeed are not the same person. Just as the BWA poses a severe threat to the fir trees, the sins of adultery and divorce pose a grave threat to Christians filling church pews worldwide.
 
“Adelgids are small and difficult to find on the tree. It takes several months before trees develop symptoms of insect damage.”  Have you ever noticed that sin doesn’t just slap you in the face one day, it sneaks up on you a little at a time? Usually, people do not wake up in the morning and say, “I believe I will commit adultery today.” No, it happens a little at a time and therefore goes unnoticed for a long time, even by the person who eventually falls into this sin. The “infestation” is difficult to see and may take several months before the symptoms of this sin cause noticeable damage. But the damage is being done the whole time that sin is being entertained. God gives us precise instructions in Hebrews 13:4, “Marriage is to be held in honor among all [that is, regarded as something of great value], and the marriage bed undefiled [by immorality or by any sexual sin]; for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.” (AMP)
 
But there is good news just as there is with this tiny insect. “Through conscientious scouting and control, serious losses can be avoided.” You can avoid severe losses by being mindful of the tactics of the devil. Do not allow little things into your life that will lead you down a path of sin. Watching a television show with many sexual or violent scenes can lead you down a path into pornography. God’s Word says, “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good morals.’” 1 Corinthians 15:33 (AMP)
 
We, as Christians, must not compromise or change the Word to line up with our lives. We must change our lives to line up with the Word. Galatians 6:7 says, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked [He will not allow Himself to be ridiculed, nor treated with contempt nor allow His precepts to be scornfully set aside]; for whatever a man sows, this and this only is what he will reap.” (AMP) We cannot scornfully set aside His commands and instructions about marriage without repercussions appearing in our lives. There are consequences for ungodly decisions, and they not only affect our lives and also impact those who live and work around us. Rid yourself of those pesky things before they can do any damage! Prayerfully make a decision based upon God’s Word and avoid severe losses.