Lest Any Be Hardened by Sin

Exhort one another day by day, so long as it is called To-day; lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Hebrews 3:13 (ASV)

Disease sickens the body in the same way that sin sickens the soul, but Lyme disease has the greatest one-on-one parallel that I know. When first entering a victim’s bloodstream, Lyme bacteria are vulnerable to antibiotics. As the microorganisms remain undetected, though, they develop a drill-like appendage which allows them to move into other body cells. Each bacterium also develops the ability to detect the presence of antibiotics and protect itself by becoming an impenetrable, hard-walled cyst. Treatment makes the patient feel better, but the bacilli are still present, ready to reactivate.

Sometimes Lyme disease appears with a bull’s eye rash. Sometimes not. Early recognition ensures eradication. At the same time, delayed recognition makes medical complications inevitable. It is the same with spiritual sin. Sometimes we immediately know the state of our hearts and sometimes not. The longer sin goes undetected, cysts of sin harden so that opening up to God’s love through confession and repentance becomes almost impossible. In parallel to those with chronic Lyme disease, chronic sin evades the antibiotics of God’s cleansing word, the admonition and forgiveness of friends, or the muted voice of our own consciences.

God calls us to avoid spiritual sickness or, when necessary, to recover quickly, but more importantly, He calls us to exhort others and even ourselves. He does not want his followers to be “hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” Our job is to help others and ourselves move quickly into the light of His love.

Prayer: Lord, help us recognize the infection of sin and the hardening of our hearts. Help us do our job of exhortation. Amen.