James 1:14-15 (NKJV) But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
I read an interesting article entitled "Elephants Love to Eat Trees" a few weeks ago. In it, I learned that elephants love to eat trees and can quickly take out a small forest if they are hungry enough. Those that study such things have often wondered why that doesn't happen more often. Why don't elephants take out forests at whim? The answer is simple: ants. Elephants hate ants. When elephants start to yank on the limbs of the whistling-thorn tree, the ants swarm into their tender trunks and begin to sting and bite. Studies have shown that elephants tend to avoid these trees at all costs while learning to be careful in approaching other types of treEs. Thus, forests remain and elephants don't' have to deal with the consequences of disturbing the ants!
Trees so appealing and swarming with painful ants reminds me a lot of sin. Sin appears so appealing. Sin looks so satisfying. Sin looks so nourishing. Yet when you begin to yank on the limbs of sin, you get bit and stung by its hidden consequences.
Friends, stay away from sin, please. There is no need to learn the hard way.
In Grace,
Pastor Ed
Response
Hello Pastor Ed! God's words today have taught me that my excuses for not being good enough or competent enough to perform the functions of my job are really about me just not wanting to do what God has asked of me. I don't want to have to deal with learning the job and knowing all that I have to know, because it hurts my pride and because I'm just lazy sometimes. God has humbled me in a way I needed.
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