So...You're Calling Me A Frog?

Have you heard the one about boiling frogs? 

It's an experiment that goes like this:

Part 1:  Bring a pot of water to a boil.  While the water is still boiling drop a live frog into the pot.  What does the frog do?  Most likely the frog will recognize that something is wrong, that he is in danger and he will use all of his energy to get out of the pot.

Part 2: Fill a pot with lukewarm water.  Drop a live frog into the pot.  Then, turn the heat on low and slowly bring it to a boil.  What happens to the frog?  Most likely the frog will swim around and become comfortable with the water temperature.  It will adjust to the rising heat and before he knows it, the water has come to a boil and Kermit is cooked.

So, why am I telling you this?  I'm telling you about this because the frog's experience is quite similar to our experience with sin.

Sometimes we commit a sin that has instant consequences.  Like the frog being dropped into boiling water, we realize we are in big trouble and that we have done something wrong.  We quickly recognize that what we have committed a sin, we learn our lesson, we repent and we walk away from it.

Other times, however, the things we do, the sins we commit, do not bring results in such a quick way.  We don't recognize the sins we are committing because the repercussions are much more gradual.  We become comfortable with those sins because we, like the frog, become adjusted.

The truth is that neither of these are good.  All sin is bad.  I am encouraged by Paul's writing to the Corinthians:

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
                                                                                      (1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV)

God is faithful, and he will not let us be tempted beyond our ability, but we need to be actively aware of our actions, behaviours and surroundings to ensure that we do not succumb to temptation and get boiled!


Grace & Peace,

Dave