Devotions from Everyday Things

The Intruder “There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs,” Luke 12:2-3, NIV. We had an intruder in our neighborhood. He came in the darkness of night, gained access through a small hole in the ventilation system of our neighbor’s house and no one knew he was there. At least, no one knew he was there right away. Within a couple of days, though, everyone knew he was there. You see, the intruder was the black-and-white, smelly type. Though he came under the shadow of night, his true identity did not take long to show, or smell, through. We have nothing against skunks, as long as they stay in the woods and away from our homes. When this one came, our neighborhood took action. Traps were set. Outside lights were left on through the night to discourage the skunk from coming close to other houses. Neighbors began watching each others’ yards for movement of the nocturnal annoyance. Three days later, I am happy to report that the intruder was caught and whisked away by a professional trapper. Then, the trapper informed us that the age and size of the skunk meant that he most likely had a partner—another skunk to watch out for and guard against. Our neighbors kept their vigil and the traps were reset. ”Secret” sins are like the skunks. They come in the darkness of deception and convince us that no one else will know they are there. They stink, and it does not take long for others to notice the stench they are making in our lives. What if we took vigilant action against the secret sins in our lives, just as our neighborhood did with the skunks? What if we set the traps of accountability and purity, asked others to encourage us to guard against them, and left on the spiritual lights of God’s Word, prayer and responsibility so the sins could not creep back in? What if we kept a vigil, even after one sin was removed, to be sure that others find no foothold? What if we believed the effort and the energy to live lives of purity and integrity were worth it? Let the skunks of sin stay in the woods of the world, and let us do everything we can not to allow them into our lives and homes as believers! Thought-provoker: Is there a spiritual skunk stinking up your life today? Ask God to remove the skunk and be willing to do whatever it takes to keep the sin from getting back into your life and stinking things up! Lord, thank You for the light of Your Word and the accountability You provide to help us avoid secret sins. Make me willing to do whatever is necessary to guard against secret sins in my life and help me to do it now! Amen.