One Day versus 40 Years

"It took the Israelites one day to leave Egypt, but it took 40 years for Egypt to leave them."

I have found this is a fitting metaphor for some aspects of our lives.  One aspect in particular is our struggle with habitual sin.  All it takes is one day, one choice, one conversation, one prayer, one whatever to turn from our sin to God.  But it can take a really long time for the sin to leave us.  And the effects of that sin linger even longer.

Just because the sin leaves us does not mean the temptation to fall into that sin will as well.  In fact it might not ever.  I have experienced this before when I went for a few months without falling into a certain sin I struggled with for a long time.  But the temptation never left, though it was diminished for a while.  Even though I had repented of the sin, I am a broken human being and I did fall back into that habitual sin.  I have since been able to kick that sin again (and hopefully for good this time) with the help of the Spirit.  But the temptation still follows me around.  The slippery slope is still close and still beckons.  But I would like to think I am more prepared now.  I am a little older and arguably a little wiser.  However, I will feel the scars and effects of that sin probably for the rest of my life on earth.

If you think that you have kicked some habitual sin that you have struggled with for a long time, I want to encourage you.  Do NOT deceive yourself into thinking the temptation for that sin is gone for good.  Satan is crafty and prowls around waiting.  He will change tactics.  Keep on your guard, if you get complacent he will pounce.  But take heart, we have God on our side and in the end, He will prevail.