Apr 25 – Righteousness and Sin!

“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” (Proverbs 14:34)

On one side, the Lord calls us to righteousness. On the other side, Satan calls us to sin. When we walk in the path of righteousness, the Lord will lift us up, honour us, and glorify us. But if we walk in the path of sin, we will fall into shame and reproach, and destruction will not be far.

A hunter sets traps to catch birds. Fishermen place bait on hooks to catch fish. Do you know how monkeys are caught? A small jar is prepared with a narrow opening, and inside it they place roasted peanuts with a strong aroma.

When a monkey smells the peanuts, it puts its hand into the jar and grabs as many peanuts as it can. But when it tries to pull its hand out while holding a handful of peanuts, it cannot remove its hand. Yet it is unwilling to release the peanuts. It struggles again and again, trying to pull its hand out while still holding them.

Meanwhile, the hunters come running with sticks. Even though the monkey senses danger and knows it may be beaten or captured, it refuses to let go of the peanuts. Unable to escape with the jar still trapping its hand, it is eventually caught.

In the same way, many people today hold tightly to sinful habits. They do not want to let go. At first they may say, “It’s only one cigarette,” or “What is wrong with drinking a little with friends?” or “What harm is there in trying something just once?” But eventually these habits enslave them. Spirits of immorality and corruption bind people and drag them toward destruction.

The Bible says: “Be sure your sin will find you out.” (Numbers 32:23) Apostle Paul writes: “Some men’s sins are clearly evident, preceding them to judgment, but those of some men follow later.” (1 Timothy 5:24)

In some families, husbands and wives stubbornly hold on to their own self-righteousness. They refuse to yield to one another and cling to their own positions like a monkey gripping the peanuts. As a result, they lose the peace of their home and destroy their unity. Many families have been broken and divided this way. The prophet Isaiah says: “Who draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as if with a cart rope.” (Isaiah 5:18)

Children of God, do not cling stubbornly to sin. Instead, let it go and turn away from it. Surrender yourselves completely into the hands of the Lord and receive true deliverance.

Verse for further meditation: “Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and I shall be innocent of great transgression.” (Psalm 19:13)