THE OFTEN SUBTLE SLOW BURN OF SIN

By Michael K. Farrar, O.D.

© God’s Breath Publications

 

Have you ever burned your finger on something hot? Possibly you inadvertently touched a wood stove, a hot curling iron or a burner on the stove in the kitchen. Your first response of course was to scream and jerk your hand away. You then quickly stuck your finger in your mouth, or under some cold running water or in the huge tub of butter sitting on the counter that had been meant for your pancakes.

 

Once the initial shock is over you begin to examine your poor traumatized finger. When you look closely you notice that many times the finger, while slightly red, appears rather normal. The pain tells you something is wrong, but often times these burns; at first don’t portray the true damage which has already taken place.

 

Each tiny cell near the surface of your finger has just been exposed to a lethal temperature that has boiled its contents. The high temperature has caused cells to release body fluids into surrounding tissue and vital cell organelles to no longer function. Eventually these factors give you a blister and the process of death for those cells is complete. These minor burns are what might be called, “slow burns.” While the action of the heat was quick, the effects are slow to show themselves.

 

When we commit a sin it often has the same results, not on our finger, but on our heart and mind. Before a sin takes place there is usually a temptation that presents itself. When we fail to avoid the temptation we sin. When a sin is committed we are usually convicted by what we have done. We have burnt our heart and soul and there is spiritual pain involved. We regret making our choice and seek solace in the scriptures, in prayer or in confession to another Disciple of Christ.

 

The problem is that just like a burn to a finger, there are always consequences of our sin. It alters our relationship with our Lord and can impact other relationships as well. It also influences our perceptions of life and possibly our future behavior. Just like the “slow burn” of a finger, the effects of sin can slowly fester and cause further destruction beyond the initial sinful act. Just as quick action is needed when a burn occurs to a part of our body, the same impetus is necessary when dealing with sin in our lives.

 

The quicker first aid is given to a burn the quicker the healing and greater the prevention of damage to tissue. It works the same way with sin. When we sin, it is imperative we seek forgiveness from God as well as anyone we may have sinned against. Keeping short accounts with God and others is critical if we want to minimize the trauma to our souls, and the souls of others. Only by confessing our sins to our Lord can we reduce the effects of sin on our lives.

 

Psalms 32 tells us what happens when we fail to address sin in our lives. You almost get the picture of a soul burned by the searing heat of sin when you read the following verse as King David shares about his sin against God.

 

Psalms 32:3-4

“When I kept silent “about my sin” my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; My vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer.”

 

While burns to our body are usually never intentional, sins can be committed without us thinking properly or by a sinful choice of our will. Whenever we sin in private thoughts or outward actions, we must remember that sin is never positive nor a neutral action. It always produces wounds against ourselves, others and especially God. It can kill a relationship, quench the Spirit, and foster destructive behavior. It is a poison that spoils the heart, mind and soul.

 

We often brush aside “minor” sins and therefore any necessary repentance that is needed with statements such as, “It wasn’t that bad.” or “I only did it once.” The problem is sin breeds sin, and un-confessed sin breeds more un-confessed sin. Just like an untreated burn is at risk for infection, sin in our lives can breed further damage to our soul. Unaddressed infections of body tissue eventually lead to gangrene and un-confessed sin will eventually lead to spiritual gangrene. Christians led by the Holy Spirit are always to be greatly concerned by the effects of sin in their lives and others.

 

Christians are blessed beyond measure. We have received forgiveness for our sins, past, present and future. We stand acceptable before our God because of the grace provided by the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ. The problem is that even though we have accepted Christ as our Savior and have been forgiven, we still continue to sin.

 

1 John 1:8-10

“If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.”

 

As Christians, when we dedicate ourselves to Jesus Christ, we know we have been forgiven from the penalty of sin, but we are often not spared the consequences of sins that we commit. Sometimes God allows us to face the results of sinning against Him in order that we will learn to walk more closely with the Father, Son and Spirit.

 

One danger we face as Christians is taking sin in our lives for granted. Knowing we are forgiven for the penalty of sin, we often forget the consequences and effects of how sins can affect us.

 

Numerous scripture passages warn believers of developing a hardened heart. Sin of any sort or degree can sear our heart and can cause it to become callous to the prompting convictions of God’s Spirit and the concerned influence of fellow Christians. In Ephesians 4:17 24 it says;

 

 “So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness. But you did not learn Christ in this way, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.”

 

Here in Ephesians we are told as Christians to avoid acting like pagans who have stony hard hearts and are unresponsive to the Lord.

 

Another example of unrepentant rebellious sin is In Hebrews chapter 3. In this chapter it is told how the Jews who when they sinned against God they were disciplined with having to wander in the wilderness for forty years due to the hardening of their hearts caused by their sins.

 

Just as you would seek medical aid for a burn, seeking spiritual aid for a sin committed is just as critical.

 

1 John 1:9 10 tells us “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

 

Spiritual healing is readily available for any sin we commit. God is only a prayer away and is anxiously waiting to both forgive us and restore His relationship with us. My advice is to keep short accounts with your Savior, walk in the power of the Holy Spirit and avoid hardening your heart to God.

 

One more piece of advice, confide in a close Christian friend who can hold you accountable in times where you are weak and who can encourage you to live like Jesus Christ.

 

Colossians 3:15 17

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”