Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. James 1:15
Trees that are spaced well, have good water and are healthy, and make excellent snowboarding, but a forest that is not thinned naturally by fire or unnaturally by forestry clearing will choke itself out competing for sunlight and water. Then the beetles move in creating holes in the trees causing the tree to be stressed and bleed out. The forest becomes full of standing deads and will easily turn into a fire bomb.
Likewise, if we neglect our spiritual health the world starts fighting for our worship, which will lead to the lake of fire. When a tree is healthy it can fight off the bark beetle. When we are spiritually healthy, the word of God speaks truth into our minds and the holy spirit protects us from worshiping idols or the fleshly desires of the world. Keep God present in all that you do. Don’t let sin slowly creep in and crowd out God’s life giving blood.
Challenge
- Is there any sin growing in your life that needs to be chopped down before your connection to Jesus gets choked out?
- What is getting your attention before God in the start of every day?
- What lies are you listening to that allow little crowded trees to grow?
By Andy Finch | Truckee, CA