James 1:15 (CSB)
Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death.
What if I told you something as innocent and cute as a fluffy little animal could destroy your life?
Meet Fluffy: The Deception of Innocence
A few years ago, I watched a documentary about people raising pet lions. One man nearly ruined his life by raising a single male lion. When the lion was only a cub, he brought him into his house, and everything at first seemed perfect. For the purpose of our story, we'll say that he named him Fluffy.
The man's family and friends were enamored by the little bundle of joy as he pounced around the house with his little roars and cute, cuddly fur. Everyone was in love with Fluffy, but they failed to realize that as Fluffy grew, so did the threat. With each passing day, Fluffy became more demanding and more destructive. Family and friends that were once drawn to Fluffy's charm and cuteness began to grow fearful as his playfulness became destructive. They gradually began to separate themselves from the man and his threatening pet.
Desperate to keep Fluffy, the man spent a fortune on an enormous outdoor enclosure. But this only isolates him further, as loved ones cannot bear to see how the once-cute cub is overtaking his life. All he can think about and all he can talk about is "Fluffy." The man is unwilling to see how irrational his obsession with Fluffy has become (Prov. 14:12).
Fluffy’s True Nature: Destruction Unleashed
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death…
And then the unthinkable happens. Fluffy, now a full-grown lion, escapes the enclosure and begins terrorizing a nearby highway, chasing and attacking cars. The authorities have no choice but to put Fluffy down. The man, heartbroken and in disbelief, insists that Fluffy would never hurt anyone, but the truth is, Fluffy was a predator by nature, and his killer instinct was always there, looming under the surface.
This tragic tale of Fluffy serves as a powerful illustration of the pet sins in our lives. Like Fluffy, these sins may appear small, harmless, and even lovable at first. But as we embrace them, they grow, requiring more and more from us. Eventually, they threaten to destroy our relationships, our peace, and our very souls (1 Peter 5:8).
In the long run, Fluffy will cost you more than you're willing to pay. In most countries, owning a lion cub as a pet is either heavily regulated or outright illegal. Unlike the lion cub, your pet sins are readily available in the world we live in (Galatians 5:19–21). Our personal Fluffies come in various shapes and sizes, disguised as harmless pleasures or seemingly innocent habits. But just like the lion cub, regardless of how well you've “caged” them, sooner or later they will break free, keen on destruction.
Fluffy Must Die: The Harsh Reality
I know that sounds brutal, but either you kill Fluffy or Fluffy will kill you. You might believe Fluffy to be good, but he is actually evil, and your love for him will prevent you from seeing his destructive nature. For your well-being and for the safety of the people who love you, Fluffy must be put down (Colossians 3:5).
In our battle against Fluffy, you must understand that killing him is only half the battle. After you put him down, he will still try to come back and overtake you with condemnation. But God has given you the ultimate condemnation destroyer, His grace. Titus 2:11–12 (CSB) teaches us that “the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age.” Did you catch that? “To live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way.” Living with Fluffy is not “sensible.” The only way you will recognize the danger of the “Fluffies” is by nurturing and growing the grace of God in your life.
From a spiritual perspective, I can argue that you’re nurturing only one of two things in your life right now: either your Fluffies or the grace of God. Dear reader, if you've been harboring a Fluffy, it's time today to stop nurturing him and bring your relationship with him to an end! James 4:7 (CSB) says, “Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” This is the amazing power of God's grace in our lives; it enables us to resist sin and choose Kingdom living.