NO LONGER...

I awoke to the touch of a little black parasite creeping across my forehead…It was getting ready to make itself at home. I was not at all keen to this idea, and as soon as my brain had processed what was happening I had acquired the little bugger, pinched it between my fingers, and was in the bathroom with the light on to make sure it had no chance to escape its impending doom.

Isn’t it crazy how fast a little black tick can make you move when you feel it creeping on your skin? It can cause the bravest of any to move with great contortions and squirms until the thought of the possibility of it being present is gone.

Sin is like that little black parasite…it sucks the life out of us…and our response to sin should be our same response to ticks…right?

Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he  no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men but for the will of God. 1 Peter4:1-2

The tick, like sin, creeps into our lives under the cover of temptations…things that our flesh desires.  Desires are not a bad thing; however, they become an unhealthy problem when they are not submitted to God and the truth of His Word.

As I discovered the tick, my attitude towards it was… oh no you won’t (NO LONGER) would it have access. 

I made a decision that NO LONGER would it live near or on my body.

 I took action against it. NO LONGER would it have access to suck the life out of me.

This is the same attitude, decision and action we are to take towards the temptation to draw us into sin. 

As we become aware of the temptation, emotional patterns, thoughts and attitudes, or the active sin that we have partnered with, we must take that same attitude that we rid ourselves of a tick with. 

We must not rationalize those things and continue to give them permission to have a hiding place in our hearts. 

 For example…if I allow or justify my emotion or offense, It isn’t fair…It shouldn’t be this way because…I don’t deserve to be treated this way…How could they?

 Can’t we liken that to us saying…It is just a little tick…What harm can it do?...Besides it tickles…It is not doing any harm….It looks like a mole…

Ridiculous right?

May we all be awake to the Holy Spirit and His leading; that we may with great care and concern be diligent to flee from any pattern in our lives that causes us or others harm, that He may be glorified.