On the nature of sin

The nature of sin is much like the nature of a coral snake.

The coral snake does not have fangs – he has ordinary teeth. BUT – his saliva contains one of the most potent neural toxins in nature. The way it works is remarkable. The snake selects his prey – generally a small animal that is asleep or completely relaxed. He approaches his prey, gently parts its fur and then coats a small area of skin with a layer of saliva. This is done so gently that the prey is completely unaware of what is going on. The toxin is so powerful that it immediately deadens the area that it touches.

Once the area is anesthetized, the snake begins to nibble – not to eat but rather to introduce its toxin into the prey's blood stream. Soon the prey falls into a coma and, shortly, dies.

And that's the way sin works.

It sneaks up on us when we don't expect it. Then, instead of a roar and a violent attack, it simply gives us the slightest little lick. And, with each lick, our defenses are increasingly anesthetized.

Then it begins to nibble, then nip, then bite, then chew. And each of these introduces more of the toxin into our system.

And finally we're overwhelmed.

Then sin can do its work.

It rolls us into a convenient posture, unhinges its serpent jaws and takes us in its serpent mouth – and then it starts to swallow. And soon we're swallowed up. And then sin has its way. Off to a sunny spot where it can leisurely digest us, smacking its serpent lips and smiling a subtle serpent smile.

First it digests the skin, and then the flesh and then….. it gets down to the most delicious, the most delectable, part: the immortal soul within.

When that is gone its over.

So what can we do?

Know that it's there. Know that it's everywhere. And keep a constant watch for that tiny little touch, that almost pleasant little tickle. And, when we feel it – spin around and grab it, pop it like a whip, fling it to the ground and crush it underneath our heel.

And, while we're watching for it, get a vaccination: an inoculation, an anti-venom so potent as to render the poison of sin completely and eternally ineffective.

How? Through the power and the grace of Jesus, the Christ. He will stop it in its tracks, repair the damage it has done and then will introduce into your spirit a presence called the Holy Ghost. And He, the Holy Ghost, will take up residence inside you, watch out for sin and nip it in the bud.

And how do you accomplish this? It's simple. Just ask a Christian, he'll help you – he has to, he has no choice in the matter, the Holy Ghost within him will not let him do otherwise. But do be careful… don't be fooled… if he talks the talk and doesn't walk the walk just keep looking till you find someone who does both.

And lastly, how do you know whether he walks the walk? How do you know that he's a Christian?

Easiest thing in the world. A Christian has to do what Jesus tells him to and Jesus told us to love our neighbors.

Watch to see what your guy does. How does he treat his waitress? The people who work for him? The bum on the street? Everyone less fortunate than him?

You can tell what kind of tree it is by looking at its fruit.