In the classic tale of the two frogs, one is placed into a pot of boiling water and is so shocked by the experience that it quickly jumps out. The other is lowered into a pot of cold water over a low heat. The heat is gradually turned up to boiling point, but the frog doesn’t realize the subtle change in temperature and allows itself to slowly boil to death.
This well-known and somewhat gruesome anecdote makes me think of the effects of sin. There are times when sin is so blatant and vile that we’re quick to flee the temptation. There are other times, however, when we’re lulled into thinking we can linger after work with an attractive colleague rather than get home to our spouse or leave a few important details off of our yearly tax return. The next thing we know, the heat of our sin has reached a boiling point and we’re feeling the sting of spiritual death.
God shows us the way out of temptation and we need to heed the warning and flee or we risk getting badly burned (1 Corinthians 10:13; 2 Timothy 2:22-24). The prophet Hosea showed the people of Israel a way out of the awful consequences of their sin by urging them to repent and return to the LORD (Hosea 6:1). He encouraged them to seek the LORD and press on to know Him, and as they did so, he assured them that they would always know His faithful presence (Hosea 6:3).
A pastor from Chicago was so serious about preventing immoral behavior on the job that he had a glass door installed in every office in the church. It was a practical way of helping his staff steer clear of the desire to succumb to temptation. In what practical ways will you avoid sin that can “boil you alive”?
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Judges 14:1-20
More:
Read 1 Corinthians 6:18 and consider what it reveals about how to avoid the scalding ways of sin.
Next:
How have you found sin to be sneaky, creeping up on you unexpectedly? What will help you to be better prepared for sin and its subtle attacks?
nymphenic on March 11, 2015 at 6:13 am
I am wondered! Why don’t you provide material for Nepal. I want this articles should be provided to Nepali people too. Is really helpful article to grow spiritual and be near to God. Please help us to get this materials. It will be great help. Thank you!
Gary Shultz on March 11, 2015 at 7:54 am
Well, I happen to like people and frogs and it’s good when neither get burned. I find practicing God’s presence, and understanding that, helps me much. Drawing close to God is a fearful and wonderful thing. I like to keep it on the wonderful side as much as possible. Thanks
Ruth O'reilly-smith on March 11, 2015 at 9:38 am
Hi Nymphenic, thank you for your encouraging words. The exciting thing is that more and more people from all over the world are finding Our Daily Journey and are being encouraged and challenged in their faith by it. Please spread the word – tell people to come to ourdailyjourney.org and read the devotionals or they can sign up to receive the daily devotional as an email. God bless and keep you and provide for you.
nymphenic on June 10, 2016 at 3:12 am
Hi Ruth,
Thank you so much for your kind word. Actually as a Nepali I want Nepali speaking people also have privilege to get access with such blessed and encouraging article.
I have told my theology study friends and local lay believers whom I serve. And they have been reading it. Some of the believers can’t understand English. I am just helping them to understand the story.
Thank you Ruth for kind suggestion.
May God bless you.
Ruth O'reilly-smith on March 11, 2015 at 9:45 am
Hi Gary – What a powerful illustration of the numbing effect sin can have on our lives hey?! If we aren’t vigilant in our walk with God, keeping in the Word and being led by the Holy Spirit, we can quickly become dull to His still, small voice warning us to flee temptation and resist evil. My prayer is that God would help me respond quickly to His warnings and to the ‘way out’ that He provides when I am tempted. God bless you Gary – thanks for your faithfulness.
Tom Felten on March 11, 2015 at 10:24 am
Ruth, I’ve found in my own life and with those I’ve talked with and counseled that temptation is a powerful things and that can only be overcome by something greater. God has called us to love Him above all else as found in Matthew 22:37. When we do so, lesser gods and pesky temptations melt away in the light of His love.
joycemb on March 11, 2015 at 4:11 pm
Yes Tom I so agree, who is more important, our Great God, or our fleeting feelings?
godlove on March 11, 2015 at 3:17 pm
Thanks very much for this article today. So timely, as I’m currently fighting to get out if the “boiling water” that I suddenly found myself in. The heat slowly creeps up on me each time without me realising it. Right now I’m entangled in the sin and like Paul says in Romans 7:16,18-19 “What I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. … I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do–this I keep on doing.”
However, you didn’t help with any tentative answers to the question: “What will help you to be better prepared for sin and its subtle attacks?” Guess what, I have not the slightest idea. I’ve been searching for solutions and have tried lots of things but nothing seems to work. Sometimes I start singing hymns in my heart when I sense that sinful urge coming up, but soon the craving flesh takes over and before I know it I’ve fallen… again!
Sometimes I feel really frustrated about it all, but in the end I have faith in God and in the power of the Holy Spirit and I know that with the help of my Savior Jesus Christ, I will achieve the long sought victory.
May the Lord help me, in Jesus’ Name!
(Sorry for being so long)
joycemb on March 11, 2015 at 4:08 pm
I once found myself in this situation. It was one of the hardest trials I have ever been through. I knew the other person was not a Christian but fell so head over heels in love with him. I tried so hard to get him to convert-I learned so many different ways to teach about Christ I surprised myself! But he did not and eventually I had to get away for a weekend of horrible pain and crying out to God to help me with my fatal attraction. Since I could not leave this job yet I carried my bible with me and had it open on breaks and wrote down scriptures affirming my faith and devotion to God that I posted on my desk and even carried in my pocket so I could pull them out when I was feeling overwhelmed. I even had scriptures posted in my car, everywhere I looked I made sure I was surrounded by God’s word. The attraction finally began to dim and God opened up another job for me. Thankfully. It was I think the most horrible situation I’d ever been through-the human emotions/chemistry are very powerful, but no match for the King of Kings!
Mike Wittmer on March 11, 2015 at 9:41 pm
Great post, Ruth. It’s often the “white” sins or cultural sins that get us. We can easily spot and avoid the big stuff, but too often become desensitized to more culturally acceptable sins. God help us.
Ruth O'reilly-smith on March 12, 2015 at 4:26 am
I’m praying for you godlove. joycemb makes a great point about the effectiveness of reading the Word of God and regularly reminding yourself of who you are in Christ. When we are tempted to follow our own desires and the lusts of the flesh, often the last thing we want to do is spend time reading the Bible and praying, but when we come before our Heavenly Father and admit our weakness, He is faithful and will show us a way out. May we have the grace and the strength to take that way out. I find that I am better able to conquer the ‘great’ temptations as I choose daily to obey the Lord in the little things (Luke 16:10).
godlove on March 12, 2015 at 9:40 am
Joycemb, thanks a lot for sharing your experience. I’ve learned one or two things from your personal story which I think I can apply to my own situation.
Thank you Ruth. The battle is truly on and I’m detemined to win, with the help of my Almighty Father.
nymphenic on June 10, 2016 at 3:15 am
Please Pray for the family of Tejendra Chettri.
His waife is going under Breast Cancer treatment from Last year
and Now Tejendra is having Brain tumor.
Yesterday at 6:30 He had operation.
Pray for the recovery.
Thank you.