Issue 819 – Sticky Situation – August 18, 2022
I snapped a quick shot of what I thought might be a golden orb spider in our backyard. Like most coastal areas, the lower mainland has plenty of spiders. This one had a body about the size of a dime, but they come much bigger.
I’m not much of a spicer fan. I know many people love them and even keep big ones like tarantulas as pets, but frankly, they creep me out.
I understand their purpose in keeping insect populations in check, so I try to ignore them. I have been known to stomp the odd one if I walk through a web I don’t see.
I do find their webs to be fascinating. They can spin the most intricate of designs quickly. You can clear one out in the morning, and before the next morning, it is stretched out again, awaiting the next tasty morsel that happens to fly into its sticky threads.
Watching how quickly a spider can run along its web without sticking amazes me. A fly who lands there is done for, and yet, the spider traverses it with ease.
Spider webs are simple but effective traps. The victim is unaware of them until it is too late.
Sin works the same way, or does it? Sometimes we think that sin is an instantaneous decision, and we fall into it unaware. Perhaps that is the case some of the time, or maybe, it just seems that way.
Sin is a process that reveals what is already happening in our hearts.
Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 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. James 1:13-15
It is what comes from within that defiles us. That is a sobering thought.
The enemy cannot effectively tempt us to something that isn’t already in our hearts and minds. Unfortunately, given the fallen state of humanity, that still leaves much room for him to work.
We need to be careful about what we use to fill our minds.
That is one of the reasons the Scriptures admonish us
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” Romans 12:2
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:1-3
Our sins are forgiven, and we have the ultimate victory through Jesus Christ. In between, we will still struggle with the tricky to navigate web of sin.
Hold fast. Meditate on the things of God. He will bring us through, and we have hope even when we stumble.
Hallelu Yah (Praise God)
Be blessed.
Kevin.
Gleanings From The Word.
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (for the glory of God alone.)
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