Sin Scratching At The Door

God warned Cain in Genesis 4:7 that sin was crouching at the door but he must rule over it. As we know Cain murdered his brother because his deeds were evil (1 John 3:12). Cain was so enraged he was blinded to the evil he was capable of committing against his brother.

We also read of the men of Sodom wearying themselves by scratching and groping for the door to commit sexual perversion after being blinded by the two angels (Genesis 19:11). Sin brings a feverish madness for those who persists in doing wrong. This sin induced madness is one of the curses described in Deuteronomy 28:28. The LORD will afflict you with madness, blindness and confusion of mind (NIV).

I can remember a time where I was very persistent about a particular sin. It didn't matter how tired I was at the end of the day or if I was not feeling well. My mind raced with schemes to satisfy my lust. I would envision a particular place and the best time to meet a person. Such darken thoughts constantly rolled through my mind all in a feverish attempt to top the last encounter. More! Better! Now! Just as Proverbs 30:15 says, "The leech has two daughters. 'Give! Give!' they cry. "There are three things that are never satisfied, four that never say, 'Enough!' (NIV).

And lust is never enough. It's an inward fire ignited in the soul by unruly passions that quickly spread and consume everything and everyone it touches.

There is a place that Lord will take those who are willing to surrender their lust. It's called Kibroth-hattaavah which means the graves of desire or lust (Numbers 11:34). Here the Israelites sinned in their craving for flesh. So God sent quail in abundance but with it came a plague that destroyed many of them. However, in the same chapter we read of God graciously pouring out His Spirit on seventy elders (11:25). I believe these elders went back into the camp prophesying and those who listened where spared from an inward craving that later destroy many in the end. The message they heard from these Spirit filled leaders caused them to bury their lust.

Only the grace of Christ can quench the feverish mind and restore right thinking. Beloved, only His power can break the cycle of sin that maddens and darkens the mind. Only His grace can quench the heat in the pit of your stomach and cause your mind to see clearly the danger hidden from your eyes by your foolish pursuit to satisfy the flesh.

If you find yourself driven to sin God has a remedy to bring lasting freedom.

I know.

The Lord brought to an end my feverish drive to sin when I received a medical report. To live meant taking the shovel the Holy Spirit handed me and bury my lust. Here I found His grace to save me rather than to let me be separated from Him eternally. He cared to warn Cain although He knew he wouldn't listen.

So how much more does He care for us to be set free not only from our lusts that scratch at forbidden doors but to save us from another fire that is never quenched but rages for all eternity (Mark 9:48)?