Sin Spreads

If the last few years have taught us anything, it's that disease spreads. Actually, we've known that for rather a long time. If I have a cold and go around coughing and sneezing, those around me are going to catch it too. The Spanish Flu erupted toward the end of World War I, starting in Kansas, USA. Through troop movements and global trade, it reached Europe, Asia, Africa, even remote islands, within a matter of months. Lasting until mid-1919, it infected some 500 million people and killed 50–100 million, more than the war itself. Unlike most viruses, it struck down healthy young adults in droves. Nowhere was spared. In just over a year, this invisible enemy became one of the deadliest pandemics in history. Staggering, isn't it? And what's equally staggering is that since time immemorial, sin has spread just as quickly. In fact, some of the dark things hidden in our hearts - envy, mistrust, pride, anger, ambition - have far more wide-reaching effects than we might imagine, just as they did between Adam and Eve's two lads. Genesis 4:6-8 The LORD asked Cain, "Why are you angry? Why does your face look sad? You know that if you do what is right, I will accept you. But if you don't, sin is ready to attack you. That sin will want to control you, but you must control it." Cain said to his brother Abel, "Let's go out to the field." So they went to the field. Then Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. Sin never remains contained—it always spreads. Just as Cain's sin led to Abel's death, our sin wounds others too. Be careful of what you carry around in your heart. That's God's Word. Fresh … for you … today.