READING: Proverbs 26-29, Galatians 1
I am sometimes amazed by how quickly people who claim to know Christ return to their sin. They cross the line into disobedience, confess their wrong . . . and then, too often, return to the sin again. The temporary keeps calling them back, and they heed its call. Apparently, the lure of the pleasure of sin is stronger than the conviction of wrong.
It’s all foolishness, actually, as the writer of Proverbs has reminded us: “As a dog returns to its vomit, so also a fool repeats his foolishness” (Prov 26:11). Even if others see what he is doing is slavish and disgusting, still the foolish man goes back for more. Foolish people simply don’t learn from the consequences of their wrong.
The apostle Peter had this proverb in mind when he spoke of the false teachers in 2 Peter 2:22 – “It has happened to them according to the true proverb: ‘A dog returns to its own vomit,’ and, “’A washed sow returns to wallowing in the mud.’” In that case, he was referring to false teachers who had claimed an experience with Jesus but never illustrated saving, trusting faith. That reality ought to catch our attention today if we find ourselves returning to our sin.
PRAYER: “God, free me from bondage to sin.”
DAILY ACTION STEP: If you have recurrent sin in your life, confess it to God today.
TOMORROW’S READING: Proverbs 30-31, Galatians 2
