trbccoffeebreak

“Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” James 1:15 (ESV)

Ever noticed how it’s the adults who tend to be the spillers? To be honest, my fingers have released too many glasses to the floor. And shattered glass is very difficult to get up. No matter how many times you vacuum or sweep there always seems to be a tiny sliver remaining. Bare feet never like to be the recipients of what is left behind – ouch!

Bet we never like to experience the ripple effect of sin either. We can attempt to convince ourselves that what we choose to do only effects us, but nothing is further from the truth. Like tiny sightless slivers of glass, our sinful actions hurt and harm others. You don’t have to look far into scripture to see the impact of sin. Cain killed his brother leaving Adam and Eve separated from both of their children (Genesis 4:11). Jonah purposefully resisted God’s instructions which threatened the life of sailors transporting him to Tarshish (Jonah 1:4). The books of I & II Kings and I & II Chronicles details those kings who embraced idol worship and lead people into evil practices resulting in defeat.

Interesting how much we want to avoid the ripple of others’ sinful actions, but we easily minimize our on. After all, we aren’t hurting anyone but ourself echoes carelessly from our lips. We easily forget sin’s impact when we are the ones choosing wrong. We even close our eyes to the fallout and relinquish our contribution. But our actions and disobedience affects believers and non-believers. Like a continuous wave of devastation, the fallout of sin doesn’t discriminate. None of us are immune.

Sweet friends, let’s release those excuses when we are tempted to disobey God’s word. Let’s hit pause and remember those moments when we allowed sin to win and the pleasure of the moment evaporated. Pain and heartache quickly followed, and others were impacted by our actions. A tour down memory lane can derail us from moving forward. A gentle tug providing a way of escape can propel us away from regrets.

Love the way our God knows all and yet still extends grace. Sins confessed and repented are covered and forgotten by our loving God. But the aftermath, the ripple and the slivers, still have the propensity to linger.

We each have a choice – resist sin or reap the consequences – let’s determine now to choose well.

“Father, Your word reminds us of the impact of our sinful actions – help us to avoid the pain of hurting ourselves and others.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life