Stay Out of the Laundry Room

Rudy is our family dog. He is a mutt, or a “$75 dog,” as my husband says. Basically he is a hound, which means his nose runs his life.

Every once in awhile, he’ll be sound asleep in the sunspot in the family room and bolt upright, barking like there’s no tomorrow. We all know what’s outside – a squirrel! Squirrels to Rudy are like Cinnabons when you’re on a diet. He’s defenseless against their scent. Even when he knows that to go after them will bring him pain.

Because in winter, outside the laundry room door, which is his route to the yard, there is a slippery slope on the stoop from the icicles above. A few times wiping out on that slippery slope and Rudy wouldn’t even go in the laundry room anymore.

He sits on the threshold looking toward the door instead. He knows if he steps in the laundry room, he’s out the door and down the slippery slope.

Hmm…

Isn’t that a lot like how sin works in our lives?

We have to recognize the early stages of temptation, stand at the threshold and not let it in. We can’t even set a toe on that slippery slope or before we know it, we’re heading for a crash.

What are your areas of weakness? What are the squirrels in your life that cause you to sin? Ask God to show you.

And whatever you do, stay out of the laundry room!

Scripture Verses:

Genesis 3:2-6
The woman answered the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; it is only about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden that God said, ‘You shall not eat it or even touch it, lest you die.'” But the serpent said to the woman, “You certainly will not die! No, God knows well that the moment you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods who know what is good and what is bad.” The woman saw that the tree was good for food, pleasing to the eyes, and desirable for gaining wisdom. So she took some of its fruit and ate it; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.

Romans 7:19-21
For I do not do the good I want, but I do the evil I do not want. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. So, then, I discover the principle that when I want to do right, evil is at hand.

1 John 1:8-9
If we say, “We are without sin,” we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing.

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you believe that by nature, mankind is sinful?
2. Do you consciously battle sin in your life? How often do you ask for help in battling sin?
3. What is an area of temptation for you that usually leads you to a sinful act? How can you avoid that temptation?
4. Do you believe there are consequences to any sinful behavior, regardless of the severity of the sin?

Listen