FROM A TINY MUSTARD SEED A GREAT TREE GROWS
When Adam and Eve were in the garden of Eden, the serpent told her a little white lie, And the serpent said unto the woman, “Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” Genius 3:4-5. It is true that she would not suffer a physical death, but she would suffer a spiritual death. Because of the one single sin of disobedience, the perfect world God had created was ruined. It was not a big sin, but it was sin nonetheless. Sin is both subtle and serious. It can begin with a small lie that Satan whispers in your ear, but it will lead to devastation if we allow it to take root. One drink can lead to two, one cigarette can lead to more, one hit on a crack pipe, can lead to a life time of addiction, and stealing one candy bar can lead to bigger things, just like the little lie Satan told Eve. This is how Satan works, little by little, slowly integrating himself into your life.
This morning we had to have our septic tanks pumped. There is nothing worse than having a backed up sewer! It is a place where all the foul waste is dumped. The system is made so the waste can dissipate and the water goes out into the seepage bed and is gone. Something went terribly wrong, and the drains were backing up and not performing as they should. After digging up tanks and raising the lid, we found the problem was a giant root system had invaded the tanks. It started by just one tiny hair like root, and that root invited all his friends and family to join him in his new abode. You can imagine the havoc that played on the pipes of the drainage system. It began one tiny root and became a colony of destruction.
This is much like how sin enters into our lives. It begins with something so minor and so simple that no one will ever know or notice. Sin always starts out thinking, “if I can just get a toehold and I can eventually take over.” It’s almost like cheating on a diet, one cookie won’t hurt, if that one didn’t hurt, two cookies can’t hurt, and so on and so on. The net result is your diet is a bust and your life has not improved. There are many instances where you’re not even aware you’re committing a sin. For instance, when you harbor ill feelings, envy or hate, in your mind or in your heart that is a sin. When you’re driving down the highway and you get angry at all the stupid people on the road, you may voice your opinion under your breath never saying it out loud, that is sin. The truth of the matter is as Romans 3:10 states, “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: James 1:14-15. “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” So what does that mean for us, how can we ever expect to live a good and righteous life? The way it sounds we have no hope for eternal life. Well I have good news for you, and it’s absolutely free! “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23. It is important to understand that Jesus came and paid the price for that sin, and if we accept him as our Saviour, we will no longer suffer the spiritual death, but enjoy eternal life. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:13 Will we go on sinning? yes without a doubt because we are because we are human, and evil is still prevalent all around us, and we continue to be tempted every day. But Jesus has promised to walk with us and talk with us and forgive us of our sins each and every time we ask. We must do our part and not let the tiny roots take hold in our hearts and minds, and try to live example Jesus left for us in the Bible. Sin is like a tiny spark, in that, by itself will not do much harm, but left unattended, can level a forest. “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” I Thessalonians 5:22. In this day and age it will not a simple task, but walking the right path, and praying, will make your life richer and fuller.
Behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.” Numbers 32:23b,
“For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings.” Job 34:21
“O God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from thee.” Psalms 69:5
“For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.” Luke 12:2
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: Romans 5:12