Most everybody has them. They just become more noticeable with the passing of time. This is because they change in color and texture as they take on a higher and higher percentage of the surface area under consideration. They are an undisciplined lot—unruly to a large extent—seeking attention both in appearance and position. They are not easily disguised—camouflaged only with difficulty and persistence. But, soon they return to haunt us once again. Some people grow desperate, removing them one by one until such strategy proves over-whelming. Like little “terminators”, one can almost hear the faint echo of their threatening voice, saying, “I’ll be back!” And, sure enough, they prove true to their word, coming back with increasing ferocity.
Many years have passed since my loving wife stood next to me in front of our bathroom mirror, pointing out an offending rogue-hair protruding from one of my eye-brows. It was promptly removed with a pair of tweezers. “Ouch!” All these years I have observed women plucking their eye-brows, never considering the extent of their ordeal. Since then, many a rogue has bitten the dust. I’m not counting the number—that would be weird. I could go on, but that would be too much information. So, for the sake of brevity, the point is this: they keep coming back and I keep asking them to leave.
What does this have to do with our walk with God? We need to be as persistent in our battle to conquer sin as sin is in its battle to conquer us! Too many have waved the white flag of surrender—forsaking faith and losing out on the promised reward (Rev. 2:10; Hb. 10:36). No doubt you have heard someone say that the secret to success is to keep getting up every time you get knocked down. We all stumble and fall prey to sin (Rm. 3:23; 1 Jn. 1:8). But there is no excuse for minimizing sin or cheapening the grace of God (Rm. 6:1-2). Nor, should we wring our hands in hopeless despair as though we are trapped as helpless prisoners in an escape-proof dungeon. Jesus said, “you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free” (Jn. 8:32). The grace of God teaches us “to deny ungodliness and worldly desires” (Tit. 2:11-12). Peter said that, as strangers here on earth, we must “abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul” (1 Pet. 2:11). We have a choice in the matter of sin. We can “fight the good fight” (1 Tim. 1:18; 6:12). We can “put on the full armor of God” and “stand firm against the schemes of the devil” (Eph. 6:11). The battle continues…each day…every day…until the victory is won! Faithfulness. Endurance. Victory. Don’t give up!