Slow Fade...Tuesday

 3/18/14

This weekend I didn't feel well at all. It seems as if I caught a nasty germ from someone at work, which has turned into a full blown chest cold. I felt like a wet dish rag and thought that I might cough up a lung. The only good thing about feeling so miserable is that I didn’t have much of an appetite. Maybe I will lose a pound or two.

As I was lying on the couch watching some mindless television program, I thought about how one little germ could cause me to feel so terrible. How could such a small thing turn into such a big problem? I started to compare germs to sin and various ways we can protect ourselves from the harmful effects of both.  In order to help keep our bodies free from sickness we should first stay away from people who are sick, if at all possible. The same holds true for us if we want to keep from falling into sin. We should stay away from people who tempt us to do things we know are not pleasing to God. We should also stay away from places that would cause us to stumble. Another way we can keep our bodies healthy is by eating foods that are good for us and drinking plenty of fluids. Likewise, if we want to keep our spirit man healthy we should feast on the word of God. Exercise can also help us maintain good health. Doing the work that God has called each one of us to do provide our spirit man with a great work-out. Finally, we should get plenty of rest if we want to stay healthy. Resting in the presence of our Savior is good for the soul. Staying healthy physically will help prevent us from becoming sick, while staying healthy spiritually will help prevent us from being tempted by sin.

Galatians 5:16 reads,
“But I say, walk by the Spirit,
and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh”.

Ephesians 6:10-18 instructs us, 

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

 Put on the whole armor of God that you 

may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, 

but against the rulers, against the authorities, 

against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, 

against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 

Therefore take up the whole armor of God that you may be

 able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 

Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, 

and having put on the breastplate of righteousness”

Of course, sometimes it does not matter what we do to keep ourselves healthy, we still might come down with a cold or the flu. The same holds true for sin.  We live in a sinful world and it is easy to let our guard down. However, when we do get sick, we need to do certain things to help us get well. Likewise, when we sin, we should take certain steps to get back on the right track.

Remember, being exposed germs may not make you sick instantly. Sometimes it takes days before the germ multiplies in your body and you start to feel the effects. First it’s a sniffle and then maybe a running nose. The next thing you know, you feel like you’ve been run over by a train. The same holds true for things that cause us to stumble and sin. At first we may not realize that we are headed down a path of destruction. However, if not careful, we may find ourselves in a place made of regrets. Sometimes it’s a slow fade.

Written by

S.G.H.

Today's Song is "Slow Fade by Casting Crowns