So, my son Benjamin has a pretty nasty cough. Every time he hacks, it sounds like his little two-year old body is being rattled and scraped from the inside out. It is pretty awful. When I think about how painful this infection is that his body is fighting off – it reminds of how painful it can be to get the crud out of our own lives. You know what I’m talking about – sin.
How come we hold onto the nasty sickness of sin and let it rattle our bodies and lives, when all we need is a little Holy Spirit medicine and free will to cleanse our system? GET THE CRUD OUT!!! That might have to be my new prayer to the Holy Spirit – Just get the crud out.
Benjamin’ sickness started with a runny nose; just a small, seemingly unsubstantial symptom. But, because it was not addressed (because I am a not a good nose wiper), it developed into something more threatening and painful. Just like sin. When temptation (or sin) is not addressed it has the potential, and will most likely grow into, a full-blown attack on your system. James 1:13-16 says this: “ 13When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. 16Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers.”
Yikes. Desire gives birth to sin. I guess the question is do I have a runny nose called desire? Why wait for it to develop into a full-blown attack on my system? Let’s get to holiness and get rid of the crud.
So. Don’t be deceived. Get the crud out. Confess to the Lord. Repent. Get filled with the Spirit. Be healthy. Get holy.