It’s amazing to me how many wild animals are kept as pets.
One man living in a New York apartment raised a tiger from a cub until it got out of control. He eventually moved out of his own apartment and let the tiger take over. He would go once a day and throw in a raw chicken, but authorities learned of the captive tiger when the cat waited by the door and bit his owner.
Since 1990, at least six adults and two children have been killed by tigers in the United States. More than 60 others have been seriously injured in tiger attacks. There are now three times as many tigers in captivity, and kept as pets, as there are in the wild.
Why do this? Why invite potential danger into our lives knowing that it could hurt us at any time?
Good question.
I would ask the same question to the person who watches pornography on their laptop when their spouse goes to bed.... or the family who refuses to talk about problems openly ... or the disloyalty we spread at work because we don’t like our boss...
...and so many other things.
It starts simple enough... we invite a tiny sin into our lives. Just like that cute Tiger cub it sits there purring... innocently... We don’t think anything of it. We have total control, don’t we? It’s not long before we realize that it requires more food... more of our attention... and it grows.
Ever had something sinful start innocently in your life start to grow out of control?
Before long, what we felt we had control over begins to take over. We can’t stop it... we just hope it doesn’t pounce and cause damage. Sometimes irreparable damage.
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8
That sin that once seemed so innocent is now fully grown... controlled by the enemy... a big ferocious animal... ready to take you down. To take your family down. To take your career down.
Seem overly dramatic? I’ve watched one little sin grow and tear apart multiple generations in the same family. One “easily controllable” little white lie destroy a marriage. One teeny tiny sinful habit ruin a business. All the devil needs is a toe in the door and he’ll tear the whole place up.
How do we avoid it? Don’t let the sin in. The Bible calls this self-control. Restrain yourself when sin seems the easiest way. Confront what the world tells you is right when you know God says it isn’t. Repent at the first sign of a crack in your values.
If you don’t control yourself...and I don’t control me... the world will be glad to do it. The enemy will be glad to do it. He’s looking for a chance to gain influence in our lives anyway. Don’t let him trick you into opening the door (even a little) to the heart that you have given to Christ. Control yourself, your influences, your habits, and your tongue... and watch God bless your life immeasurably.
