Recently we stopped at a Florida State Park to spend some time and enjoy the area.
One of the first things that we noticed was not a native bird or a bush, but rather a big sign warning us about alligators.
Let me ask you: Did you know that alligators are dangerous?
Yes, I did too--even before reading the sign.
The posted sign proceeded to outline the perils of gators...in case we didn't know that they are dangerous. For instance, "Alligators have been known to attack humans."
And just to be sure that the park-goers understood the dangers, the sign also reminded that "Alligators are dangerous."
The next warnings were:
"Do not swim with alligators."
"Do not approach, frighten or feed (alligators) by state law"
Do we need posted warnings? WHY would anyone approach an alligator, frighten this fiercesome beast, or feed this flesh-eating carnivore?
Why do we need to be reminded of such basic safety measures when it comes to facing something dangerous and keeping ourselves safe?
It seems to be part of a human's nature to "test the waters", "push the envelope", and to see how far we can go without being harmed.
As we walked a nearby trail, I decided to look up what alligator poop (scat) looks like, so that I might know if we were wandering into an alligator territory.
My phone showed pictures of white-colored poop that could be found in areas where alligators sleep or bask in the sun.
As the trail ended in a green space by the water, we (thankfully) didn't see any gators.
But looking down, I did see a lot of white poop.
Alligator poop.
What (and WHY!?) were we standing where they sleep and bask...AFTER all of the warnings on the sign?
I guess it's human nature.
And I guess that God knows that this is our nature too. The posted warnings and blaring sign about gators were put there to protect me, but still, I walked right into dangerous areas.
We live the exact same way in relation to sin. Even when we know and love the Lord, we often "test the waters" or "push the envelope" when it comes to sin, and the devil is just waiting for us to step into the danger zone of temptation and sin.
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (9) Resist him, standing firm in the faith... ~I Peter 5:8-9
Let me ask you: Do we know that sin is dangerous?
Yes, we do, but (for our good and moral safety) God proceeds to post (over and over) in His Word about the perils of sin and its dangerous effects on us.
For instance: Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. (11) Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes (Ephesians 6:10-11).
Why do we keep trying to get as close as we can to sin...without sinning? Why do we dabble? Why do we gaze? Why do we flirt with fire?
“But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.”
(39) But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved. ~Hebrews 10:38-39
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One would think that people would think and not get tangled into sin (again), but God gave us the Bible to warn us against sin because every human ever born gives Him cause to.
...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God... ~Romans 3:23
Why don't we take the danger of sin seriously? Each of us have fallen in ways that God alone knows, and it always begins when we give sin an inch.
... and do not give the devil a foothold. ~Ephesians 4:27
Just as I knew that I was in an alligator-infested area, I still went for a walk on the trail, and these types of decisions in relation to sin can lead to us falling to sin. The devil wants us to fail and he does all that he can to trip us up.
Lord, help us NOT to let the curiosity of sin lead us down the wrong path today. Give us wisdom in Your ways, Father. Don't let us be blown and tossed, but rather, keep us rooted in You, Lord. Amen.
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. (6) But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. (7) That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. (8) Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. ~James 1:5-8
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We won't get bit by an alligator if we are nowhere near their habitat. And we won't get bit by sin if we are not traipsing into its traps.
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (9) (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) (10) and find out what pleases the Lord.
(11) Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. (12) It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. (13) But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. (14) This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” ~Ephesians 5:8-14
CAUTION! If there are signs of sin, and markings of sin, and proof of sin...let's avoid the sin today. God's Word and His Spirit and His wisdom show us how.
Blessings,
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