It has been a long but productive day. Thank You, Father, for giving me the strength to accomplish these things!
********
On February 2nd of every year, Americans are drawn to a rotund furry figure’s “weather prediction” called Punxsutawney Phil. He’s a groundhog, and even with an accuracy rate of a mere 39% over the past 138 years, at least on that day, he is the center of attention for many.
That’s fine and dandy, and there’s nothing wrong with a bit of fun to brighten up the dull days of winter, but in my humble opinion, groundhogs are a pain in the you-know-what!
We have a resident pair in our backyard. I’ve seen their handiwork around our yard barn but have not seen them this year. They’ve dug a burrow under the yard barn with entryways in the front and the back. They’re destructive with their digging and eating plants in the area.
I’d really like to eliminate them, but I have no means of killing them and would not be keen on that particular approach.
I have suspended an old CD in front of each of their entryways. Their vision isn’t very good, so the flashing spinning discs dissuade them from entering. Due to their sensitive noses, I’ve read that ammonia or vinegar are good deterrents, too.
So, here I am, desiring their departure but unwilling to take the drastic measures that would ensure that end.
Far too often, that’s how we view sin. We do what we can to keep it at arm’s length, but we struggle with eliminating it from our lives.
Here are a few things we should be doing to eradicate sin in our lives.
1) Avoid things that take up time that could be used in building your relationship with the Lord.
Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. 1 Peter 2:11 NLT
2) Starve the parts of you that yearn to yield to the lusts of the flesh.
If you struggle with gluttony, don’t do the bulk of your grocery shopping on an empty stomach – and don’t go alone.
If sexually oriented things tempt you, don’t put yourself in situations where it’s before your eyes or in your ears. Avoid those TV shows, movies, social media posts, books, or periodicals that add to your temptation.
3) Focus on your only hope of deliverance.
Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure. 1 John 3:2-3 NIV
Keep in mind that you become like what you worship.
4) Reflect on God’s Word.
Your word I have treasured and stored in my heart,
That I may not sin against You. Psalm 119:11 AMP
Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. Joshua 1:8 NLT
5) Don’t stop praying!
Keep your servant from deliberate sins!
….Don’t let them control me.
Then I will be free of guilt
….and innocent of great sin. Psalm 19:13 NLT
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16 NIV
Be strong and courageous, and allow the Lord to eradicate that which so easily entangles you!
Apr 16th, 2024, Tues, 12:49 pm
