Giving Birth to Sin

James 1:14-16  But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.  Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.

In the Smidt household, we have been talking about evil desires that give birth to sin and the trouble that results from feeding that sin.  James uses interesting imagery by pairing our sin with giving birth.  Phil harkened back to the creepy abdomen baby of Total Recall but for the chidlren's sake, I toned down the object lesson. The change we see happen in Jack Jack from the Incredibles will have to suffice.

We cannot be deceived - we must be vigilant.  This is a call to FIGHT!  The seemingly harmless, somewhat fleeting thoughts that enter our minds each day that tempt us to sin are not sinful.  We are all tempted - Jesus was tempted.  The problem is when the adorable, innocent enough looking "baby temptation" is taken into our care to be coddled, fed and burped.  We believe ourselves strong enough and smart enough to know our limits but we are playing with fire.  Before we know it, we've been lulled into caring for and protecting a sinful desire that is now eating us out of heart and home.  We have nurtured and elevated the desire to a ruling passion in our lives.  If we do not turn from it and worship our Lord, we will be consumed by the fire much like our cute little Jack Jack friend turns molten.

Do you have sin swaddled, fed and tucked into the cradle of your heart?  Do not be deceived - if you are a Christian - YOU ARE DEAD TO SIN - live like it!  If you are not, I urge you to trust Christ right now - it is a matter of Life and Death.