If It Smells Like a Skunk…
Over the years some of us have been greeted with an unpleasant odor when entering the church building. I'm referring to the skunk that lives on our property. Despite setting up live traps, we've never succeeded in catching the smelly critter.
As a child I once came across a nest of abandoned baby skunks. I thought they were kittens, so I picked them up and played with them. I was having so much fun that I was oblivious to the pungent odor that was enveloping my skin and clothing. But when entered our house an hour later, I was literally chased outside. My clothes were discarded and it required 10 days for the scent to dissipate from my skin.
Once you have experienced that nauseating scent, you never forget it. If it smells like a skunk, it probably IS a skunk.
Sin is much like that. If an act, word or thought feels like sin, then it probably is.
If it feels like pride, then it probably is.
If it sounds like gossip, then it probably is.
If it feels like lust, then it probably is.
If it sounds dishonest, then it probably is.
If it sounds like an excuse, then it probably is.
God wants us to read His word daily so that we can quickly recognize the stench of sin. His Scriptures are brimming with divine guidance that will enable us remain as odor free as possible. "An ounce of THE WORD is worth a pound of cure."
"And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all
discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be
sincere and without offense till the day of Christ..." Phil. 1:9-10
Jesus FIRST!
Dennis
Over the years some of us have been greeted with an unpleasant odor when entering the church building. I'm referring to the skunk that lives on our property. Despite setting up live traps, we've never succeeded in catching the smelly critter.
As a child I once came across a nest of abandoned baby skunks. I thought they were kittens, so I picked them up and played with them. I was having so much fun that I was oblivious to the pungent odor that was enveloping my skin and clothing. But when entered our house an hour later, I was literally chased outside. My clothes were discarded and it required 10 days for the scent to dissipate from my skin.
Once you have experienced that nauseating scent, you never forget it. If it smells like a skunk, it probably IS a skunk.
Sin is much like that. If an act, word or thought feels like sin, then it probably is.
If it feels like pride, then it probably is.
If it sounds like gossip, then it probably is.
If it feels like lust, then it probably is.
If it sounds dishonest, then it probably is.
If it sounds like an excuse, then it probably is.
God wants us to read His word daily so that we can quickly recognize the stench of sin. His Scriptures are brimming with divine guidance that will enable us remain as odor free as possible. "An ounce of THE WORD is worth a pound of cure."
"And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all
discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be
sincere and without offense till the day of Christ..." Phil. 1:9-10
Jesus FIRST!
Dennis
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