I have never cooked a frog, but I am told to do so, you must, first, put the frog in a pot of cool water on the stove. Then, you must gradually turn up the heat. If the frog is placed in a pot of boiling water, it will immediately jump out. Whereas by cooking it slowly, the frog will not notice the gradual change in temperature, and will be cooked without ever knowing it was in danger.
COOKING FROGS
Our sin is like cooking frogs. It is often hard to recognize how much danger we are in until it is too late. Most adulterous affairs begin with rather innocent conversations. They have no intent to commit adultery, but very slowly it changes, often without the person noticing. By the time they are aware it is getting out of hand, they are so emotionally entangled, it is too late. Sin has won.
No matter how insignificant sin may look in the moment, we must realize that behind every temptation is a savage beast that always wants more. We see this in 1 Peter 5:8, as our enemy is referred to a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. There is no way to successfully negotiate with a hungry lion. The best way to survive the attack of a devouring beast is to not let the beast get close at all.
PLAN A
So, plan A is to avoid the beast. Erect boundaries in your life, AND STAY ON YOUR SIDE OF THE FENCE! The best boundary in the world is ineffective if you don’t honor the boundary ALL the time. Set standards for your life about what your behavior will be and have a plan of how you will be faithful to those standards. Build accountability in your life with trusted family and friends that know and share your values. Give them permission to “check-up” on you and to ask you hard questions. Answer those questions honestly and share any struggles, temptations, or straying outside of your boundaries. Have accountability measures in your life and use them!
PLAN B
Then, there is plan B which is for those times when plan A has failed. Plan B is for when you encounter the attack of the savage beast. When sin is crouching at your door, and the attack is full on. In those cases, FIGHT! Fight with all your strength. Call on the Name of Jesus, who has defeated the beast once and for all. Resist, even to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin. Fight, and keep fighting. Resist him, and he will flee from you. Never give in. Fight to the death if necessary.
For there is life abundant and eternal on the other side of the battle in Heaven.
Sin is never satisfied. Sin never conquers enough. Sin always seeks more territory. But, praise God, He has already won the battle and now, we can call on His name in times of trouble.
As Lent commences on Ash Wednesday, we are entering a time of introspection and prayer leading to Easter. Let us reflect on the significance of death preceding resurrection, urging readers to embrace a daily practice of surrendering self in preparation for our spiritual transformation.