Stay Away From the Tree Branches

As I was driving home today, I saw cows out to pasture. That is not an unusual thing for me to see on my way home since there are many large, green, and fenced-in fields. What struck me today though, was a cow that was straining against the barbed wire to try to reach the unreachable on the other side of the fence. But he wasn't going for greener grass. No. He was trying to get a taste of a dead tree limb.

I realized as I watched this cow that this is how we often behave in life. God has given us boundaries, so to speak, that are clear in His Word, just like the cows' masters give them the boundary of the fence. He is not a power-hungry ruler who gives us boundaries because He wants us to suffer. No, rather, His Word reminds us of His love and shows us how to strive toward being all He has created us to be so that we can be ready for eternity.

Just like the cow trying to reach the tree branch, we failable humans so often are reaching for things that we should stay away from that are not for our good. Sure, at the outset the sin looks enticing. It's new, exciting, different! It feels good and looks good too! But all along, that sin is just an ugly, dead tree branch that will lead to nothing but pain.

I started this blog as a way to chronicle being married, so my focus is mainly regarding sin in marriage. But whether you're married or not, this truth applies to all. 

I am not a teacher, or a preacher nor do I have the right to pass judgment on anyone. I am a sinner just like anyone else. But God's Word is clear in Hebrews 13:4 that marriage should be honored and kept pure and that He will be the one to judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. That's pretty serious stuff. Maybe your tree branch is that really attractive coworker that you can't wait to be alone with again. Maybe your tree branch is that private conversation you've been having on Facebook that you hope will turn into something more.

But, of course, we know that there are so many other ways to sin and mess up a marriage that are not related to sex or unfaithfulness. Your tree branch could be anything that you put above God (#1) and your spouse (#2). Alcohol, TV, social media (guilty), even your job. Or your tree branch could be those nasty words you said to your spouse in the heat of an argument, when you had to have the last word and knew just what to say to make your spouse feel the worst. (SO GUILTY..)

For those not married, be careful to watch out for tree branches too. Maybe your tree branch is a relationship that could potentially move you away from what God has for you. Maybe you've started to make compromises in a relationship because that tree branch is irresistable. 

Or maybe your tree branch is some sort of drug, or lies you tell to make yourself look better or fit in. Whatever shape your tree branch (sin) takes, know that God does not change. His Word is truth and is the guidebook for believers striving to be more Christ-like.

The good news is that we have the Guidebook to help us. Maybe you've already been entangled by tree branches. Maybe you are so stuck in the thistles of sin that you're sure you will be stuck there forever. You don't have to be. God can lead you out. You may have to face the consequences of what your tree branches have already hurt, and that will be difficult, but God can make you a new creation.

"Finally brothers (and sisters too), whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." Philippians 4:8