Spreading Stickiness

At breakfast this morning, my youngest asked me to open the jelly jar for her because the lid was kind of cemented on. I took the jar from her and received a sticky hand. My Crew tend to be fairly messy, and had dribbled jelly around the rim and down the edge of the jar. So I told my son that when he cleared the table he needed to wipe off the jar. His response was, "It's only going to get sticky again, so why should I?" I explained that first, he needed to obey because I had told him to, but also because if he didn't the stickiness would spread. If left alone, the stickiness would spread to the other dishes in the fridge, hands, refrigerator handles, around the kitchen and dining room, and beyond.

Even as I was speaking to my son, I was thinking about how sin is like that sticky jar. It doesn't stay in one place, but pollutes and corrupts everything it touches. So that my anger towards my children tends to yield in their lives anger towards me, or towards their siblings. Or my struggle with worshiping sugar teaches them unhealthy eating habits. And beyond the family, my selfish lack of interest can cause much hurt to my brothers and sisters in Christ. Or that piece of gossip veiled as a "prayer request" can wreak absolute havoc on the love of the body.

As I was writing this, another aspect hit me. Do you ever feel like it's hopeless to fight against your sin because there is just so much of it? Like even if you do win the battle today it'll just be back tomorrow? Maybe even later today? I want to encourage you, Christian, to keep fighting. First of all, Christ died for your sin. He satisfied God's wrath, so that when God looks at you He sees the righteousness of Jesus. Second, He didn't just die to save you from wrath, but to save you from sinning. Sin is a hateful, deceptive master who promises the world and delivers death. Dear Christian, you were created for more than sinning. You were created to worship and serve the God who made you and loves you! And third, the Holy Spirit lives in you to help you grow in obedience and worship. So keep fighting!

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

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."
1 Peter 1:13-16

Deliver me from my enemies, O LORD! I have fled to you for refuge. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on a level ground! For your name's sake, O LORD, preserve my life! In your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble! And in your steadfast love you will cut off my enemies, and you will destroy the adversaries of my soul, for I am your servant.
Psalm 143:9-12