Sin as Fire

Perhaps this is too on the nose, but sin is like fire. Sins of speech are likened to fire; the “tongue is a fire…setting on fire the entire course of life” (James 2:6; Proverbs 26:20-21). Sexual indulgence can cause someone to “burn with passion” (1 Corinthians 7:9).

Sin destroys things, beautiful things. It destroys things people have been building for years. It destroys precious things that can’t be replaced. Sin destroys lives.

When sin flames up to a certain level it’s impossible to ignore. Sin will set acres and counties on fire. It changes the color of the whole sky. Ash and debris touch down on everything. Smoke makes it hard to breath.

Maybe your sin isn’t a 4th stage church disciple wildfire. Maybe it’s contained, for now, in your home. Maybe you’re playing with fire just on your phone, or in your heart (see Proverbs 6:27). Christian, stamp out your sin.

Is it a spark of bitterness, a match of envy, a flare of lust, unattended anger? Dampen down your pride. Pour buckets of truth on falsehood and deceit.

Jude says to “save others by snatching them out of the fire” (Jude 23). Don’t let sin burn out of control; otherwise, it may be like fire that never says “Enough.”