Avoiding a Life of Erosion
“An evil man is held captive by his own sins; they are ropes that catch and hold him. He will die for lack of self-control.”
Proverbs 5:22-23
AVOIDING A LIFE OF EROSION
I don’t remember very much about high school. It’s been a minute. However, one thing I remember very distinctly was an experiment my science teacher performed. I watched the slow death of a frog in an oversized beaker of cool water. Below the beaker he moved a Bunsen burner with a low flame so that the water heated very slowly. In fact, the temperature rose so gradually that the frog was never aware of the change. After a period of time the frog was dead . . . boiled to death. The change occurred so slowly that the frog never tried to jump out of the water. Little did I know I learned a profound principle that day in class. What principle you ask?
Erosion!
What causes this spiritual stagnation and erosion? The answer is often conformity to the world’s methods and values, and compromise with sin. The process of erosion begins in the mind when we allow our thoughts, attitudes, and desires be shaped by our culture. Before long, we begin to conform to the godless and sinful behaviors around us. Slowly, one rationalization leads to another, which leads to another, which triggers a series of equally damaging alterations in a life that was once stable, strong, committed and reliable. No one ever wakes up in the morning and says, “I think I’ll commit adultery today” or “I think I will abuse my child this morning.” It never happens that way. It happens ever so slowly. One compromise after another after another after another—and before you know it, you’re living a life of erosion and in a spiritual far country that you never intended living in.
Listen Closely: God’s word says that sin is enjoyable for a season. Then payment is due!
Never forget: Sin will take you father than you want to go and keep you longer than you want to stay. And, it’ll charge you more than you are willing to pay. Say “No!” Flee evil and the very appearance of it. Stay in God’s Word daily. Keep yourself surrounded with a godly accountability partner that will tell you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear. Stay out of spiritually unhealthy environments. Lock eyes with Jesus every day and walk towards Him. You’ll be glad where you wind up at the end of the day.
Avoid a life of erosion.
Love God. Love People. Live Sent.
Be Worth Being,
Kevin
Kevin Burrell has worked in professional baseball as both a player and MLB scout for the past 43 years, and currently serves as an area scouting supervisor. Kevin was drafted in the 1st round of the 1981 free agent amateur draft (25th selection overall), and played ten years of professional baseball with four different organizations. He and his wife, Valerie, live in Sharpsburg, Ga.