Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
A devotion for February 4th through the 10th
There was a story I recently heard of but that is actually from a while ago. It was used in a recent Youth Sabbath School lesson. Paul Harvey once told a story, a brief one, about how an Eskimo kills a wolf. It’s a bit gruesome but at the same time explains sin so well. I will try and relay this in my own words.
When an Eskimo prepares to kill a wolf there is quite the process. He begins coating a large knife with blood, freezing it, and then applies another coat of blood, and freezes it again, doing this several times until the blade is fully covered by the blood and you can’t see it. Then he buries it, point up, in the ground. The wolf is attracted to the scent of the blood and when the wolf finds it, begins to lick. The more the wolf licks, the stronger the desire to continue to lick. The wolf’s hunger grows with each lick, and it just wants more and more, not realizing that the blade is now exposed and slicing the wolf’s tongue. The wolf will continue until it dies. The wolf’s lust for blood leads to its death.
Can you see how well this describes sin? This is exactly what happens to us. Some perceived “little sin” enters. We don’t think much of it but see the attraction. Perhaps we think “oh it’s just a little thing” or “just this once”. Then when we “try” this sin, it seems even more inviting, and we want more. Little by little it pulls at us. If we do not guard ourselves, it will continue to pull at us until we can’t turn back and we end up with eternal death.
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” 1 Peter 5:8 KJV. Turn away from the lusts of this world and turn toward God. Holding firm with God will bring an eternity of peace and love beyond measure.