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“But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.”  Isaiah 59:2 (KJV)

Consider the kudzu, the beautiful vine with three-lobed leaves and sprawling roots.” In the United States, kudzu grows mostly in the southeast but may be seen in other areas. Now that it’s summer, you’ll see plenty of it draping itself over the rolling landscape, creeping over acres of trees like a thick, green blanket. You might even spot its sweet purple flowers. The sight of it is quite pleasing to the eye. Stand back and take a long look. The view is peaceful and serene.

But there is a serious downside. It has a well-deserved reputation as the “vine that ate the South.” As an invasive species, kudzu grows up to a foot per day. With leaves that can be as long as eight inches, it smothers everything in its path. It can spread over a large wooded area in a shockingly short time. When the vines shrivel and die in the winter, their absence often reveals dead trees where the kudzu used to be. Why? Because kudzu completely blocks the sunlight and consumes root space that the native trees need to thrive.

Isn’t that like sin? Sin can be very attractive. It can allure you—even convince you it will improve your life—but don’t look too deep. If you peel back the outer layer and take a good look, you can see it choking everything it covers. Once sin gets a toehold, it’s practically impossible to eradicate by yourself; it just keeps growing.

And grow it does. When you are first tempted to sin, you think just a tiny bit won’t hurt. Just a little lie; just slipping that little thing that isn’t yours into your pocket; just flirting a little with someone you know you shouldn’t. You think you can keep it under control. But, like kudzu, it takes off with an energy of its own and spirals out of control faster than you could imagine.

Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

So, remember the lesson of the kudzu. Choose life.

“Heavenly Father, we give You thanks and praise for Your amazing love and faithfulness. You have warned us to stay away from sin, lest You turn Your face from us and stop hearing our prayers. When we are enticed by sin and think just a little won’t hurt, give us wisdom and strength to keep our lives pure and holy in Your sight.”

For His Glory

Cherie Harbridge Williams
TRBC Women’s Life