Sin Can Hook Us!
By Tim Jones
God’s Great Outdoors
Romans 6:12
Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in the lusts thereof.
Most anyone who has fished for any length of time has at one time or another got a fish hook stuck in some part of their body. On a Canada fishing trip several years ago, I myself became a victim of the sharp barb. I love catching big northern pike, but it’s often the small ones that cause the biggest raucous at the boat. I like to call these small pike; “hammer handles.”
These fish are notorious for shaking and twisting just as you reach to grab them. At the time , I was fishing with a 6 inch Rapala perch crankbait that had 3 very sharp treble hooks. When the fish was brought to the boat, I made a decision to lift the small fish out of the water by just using the rod. I knew better to do this but I went against better judgement. With the rod “loaded up” by the weight of the fish, I reached to grab it with my hand. I mentioned earlier about the shaking and twisting and that is exactly what happened. This action caused the lure to become dislodged from the fish and lodged in my left forearm. All three treble hooks were completely embedded in my flesh. I was able to back out two of the hooks with a pair of pliers but the third hook had to be pushed through the skin and the barb cut off. All as a result of me doing something that I knew better not to do,
Sin in our lives is just like the hooks on that fishing lure. If we allow sin to enter into our lives, we too can get “hooked”. Allowing sin to control our lives can lead to spiritual and physical injury or death. In Romans 6:23, the Bible tells us that sins wages are paid in death. Even King David himself allowed the sin of lust to control him and we know what the consequences of that were. That one sin led to adultery, murder, and the death of a child. It also tells us that sin can make us a slave to that sin. Whatever you give yourself to becomes your master. (Romans 6:16)
Believers are called to offer themselves to God and live righteously. We must recognize sin and its consequences. Believers must choose to follow God instead of succumbing to sinful desires. Sin has consequences. Don’t give sin the opportunity to sink its hooks in you and control your life. Be vigilant and resist the devil and sin. Resist sin’s dominion and live in the freedom and righteousness that Christ provides.
1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
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