My grandson is ten months old. He can crawl to any destination he desires. One of his favorite spots is the dog’s dish. His parents wisely moved some things out of his reach – choose your battles – but the dog dish remains in place to teach him one simple word: no.
When he touches the dog’s dish, Daddy or Mommy says no. He understands their meaning, but sometimes CHOOSES to touch the dog’s dish anyway. That’s when his cute little patty gets a little smack. It does hurt him; there are no bruises – the only thing that is bruised is his sin nature.
So what happens as he nears the dog’s dish the next time? He stops. His little hand reaches out and then he pulls it back. He reaches again, wavering – you can almost see the thought processes! “I want to touch that dish, but I know Mommy and Daddy don’t like it, and the action will cause me pain.” Does he understand why they don’t like it? No. Does he understand germs? No. He only understands that his little patty hurts and his parents do not want him to touch it!
Why are the things that God has placed in the “do not” category entice us so? Why are we drawn to those things that God has labeled “sin”? Why do we wrestle so much with deciding what is sin and what is not? Let’s blame Eve! 🙂 Do you see her hand hovering over the forbidden fruit as she makes her choice? God and Adam have said ‘no’. Satan, disguised as her favorite pet, says ‘yes’. We read about her choice and suffer the consequences.
Dear Christian, are you wrestling with sin? Has Satan tempted you into doubting God? I just read an article written by a gay man who attended BJU. It broke my heart. He experienced all the dark sides of that institution and others; and many gray areas were tainted because of his mindset. If only we could see where our sin will take us – it is NEVER closer to God! Sin will always cost more than you want to pay and take you further than you want to go. (Thank you Rand Hummel!) Keep your hands out of the dog’s dish!
O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.” Romans 7: 24,25
Beyond Common Sense 
I needed that. thanks for sharing!
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Quite welcome. Don’t we all?
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“If only we could see where our sin will take us – it is NEVER closer to God! Sin will always cost more than you want to pay and take you further than you want to go.” — Excellent!
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Aren’t you glad for the WILDS? They certainly were a help to solidify all that we tried to teach at home!
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