Do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in
its lusts. Romans 6:12
Guam is crawling with snakes. Slithering brown tree snakes are killing the birds of the
beautiful island nation and threatening the citizens' way of life. The people, of course,
want to keep the snakes out.
These snakes are not native to Guam. They came as stowaways on airplanes from Micronesia,
and they have multiplied by the thousands. Known for their voracious appetites, the snakes
have wiped out 9 of the island's 11 native bird species. They also threaten other islands
with which Guam trades.
Just as these deadly snakes are a danger to Guam, so our sins are a danger to us if we
don't deal decisively with them. Sins such as lust, sexual impurity, covetousness, anger,
wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language, and lying can show up in the lives of
Christians (Colossians 3:5-9). Like snakes, such sins can grow, multiply, and eventually
dominate us. They can also destroy our effectiveness in serving Christ and damage our
testimony for Him.
The solution is to say no to sin (Romans 6:12). We also need to focus on Christ and His
Word, setting our minds "on things above, not on things on the earth." We must
also "put to death" the sins that seek to invade our lives (Colossians
3:2,5,16). That's the way to keep sin out!
-JDB
We can't afford to play with fire
Nor tempt the serpent's bite;
We can't afford to think that sin
Brings any true delight.
-Anon.
Sins are like weeds in a garden; keep them out or they will take over.