I disagree with a friend’s thought on the topic of helping a speeder avoid police speed traps. She believes there is nothing wrong with flashing her lights to warn someone of a hidden police car. She also praises friends who inform her on Facebook of traps before she leaves the house. My thoughts lean more towards not helping others to break the rules. What are your thoughts on the subject?
[bctt tweet=”A little sin in life can destroy us.”]
If I am speeding down the road, I know I am breaking traffic laws. When we don’t follow the rules, then we must accept the consequences of our actions. I don’t like speedy tickets, but if I get caught, then I will be ticketed. And, just for transparency, I do not advocate anyone speeding. My speeding ticket count during my lifetime only total three so far.
[bctt tweet=”We must remain vigilant to not allow the yeast of wickedness to invade our hearts.”]
Now, most of my speeding involves driving about five to ten miles per hour above the speed limit. I think if I only break the rules by a little bit then I won’t get caught or the police will not bother stopping me and go after a real criminal. Breaking the rules just a little does not make me a rotten person, or does it?
1 John 1:8 “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”
How does this principle apply to my Christian life? Does a little sin in my life
Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”
As we study the Bible, we find yeast used as a symbol of sin in our lives. When God instructed Moses to prepare unleavened bread for the first Passover, He wanted them to be like the bread, free of any yeast (sins) as they anticipated the miraculous deliverance from the Egyptians. In the New Testament, we see the instruction that a little bad yeast will spread throughout the batch and ruin it. These words
Matthew 13:33 “Jesus also used this illustration: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough.”
As I told my friend, speeding is speeding and just because I don’t get caught does not make it okay. The same is true for the small sins we try to hide. God sees them and tells us sin is sin and just because no one else sees them does not make them acceptable to God. We must remain vigilant to not allow the yeast of wickedness to invade our hearts. Just like those people that flash their lights to warn us of speed traps ahead, God’s word warns us to avoid the sin traps in our pathway. Reading and applying God’s instructions will help us evade sin and their consequences.
Blessings,
Yvonne, Blogger, speaker, and author
Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, GO and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
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I do not feel like helping anyone avoid radar. I do not however perceive them as traps. No one is forcing you to speed so where is the trap?
Trap is just a common term. As the rest of my post says, I am responsible for my action and deserve the consequences which is also true for all my sins.
God knows our sins. We can’t hide from Him. Follow Him. Don’t follow others as they might not lead you down the right path. 🙂
So true. God knows our very thoughts before we think them. God bless
The philosopher in me wrestles with what is considered ethical or sinful. I’ve always been taught that breaking the law of the land is a sin. But then again, Daniel did it as did his 3 friends. It comes down to who I’m trying to please: others, myself or God. I can’t obey every rule all the time. But God is gracious. Government only knows justice, and aometimso it doesn’t even know that. But God is rich in mercy and Grace.
Very good points Chip and something I struggle with at times. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. God bless
Ooft. I got my first speeding ticket at age 33 in front of my 3 small children. They were sure I would be arrested. It was traumatic for them, and for me. It really made me take a look at laws and obedience. I believe I am to obey the law as long as I can honor God while doing it. If not, sin is sin. I’m a much slower driver but I am happy to be slower if it’s honoring God.
So sorry to hear your kids got to witness it. It can be humbling but for me it allowed God to get my attention. Thanks and God bless
Wow, you really have me thinking! I have never considered whether it is wrong or right to help others avoid getting caught. I speed. I admit it. But I always say I’m completely willing to take the ticket. (Though I’ve weaseled out of every one except my very first one at 16). But…does warning someone else make me complicit to their sin? This will keep me thinking for a while. Thanks.
You are welcome Stephanie. Something I think about too. God bless
Interesting discussion on this topic! I need to think about it a bit more. It is intriguing to think about because speed limits have been put in place to ensure our safety, because the set speed limit is one that has been determined as being most suitable for that road, traffic situation, etc. It is about setting a guideline/limit that people are expected to follow to ensure the optimum driving conditions and safety for all the drivers and vehicles on that particular road. Police try to enforce the rule by monitoring the traffic on it. But we are so busy and so frequently in a hurry – that we neglect the rule and speed to get where we need to be! So when we are speeding we defying the limit and essentially risking the safety of all others using that road, including our own safety and the safety of anyone in the car with us. And it does become an issue for people of faith, because speeding endangers our self and others and it is also not respecting the authority of those officials who have determine these guidelines. So, should we warn speeders of a police monitoring? Good question!
Thanks Anne, it is such an acceptable practice in our country so we don’t ever stop to think about it. Will ignoring rules and laws open a door to allow sin into our hearts a little at a time? I wanted to get us thinking. God bless.
“As I told my friend, speeding is speeding and just because I don’t get caught does not make it okay. The same is true for the small sins we try to hide.”
Maybe the “small” sins are bigger than we realize. They show us our true hearts. Great post.
Thanks Nancy. That was my thoughts too. God bless
Dear Yvonne, I appreciate how you think deeply about every area of life, as our faith should be flowing through each moment and each action. May we remember that God sees all and knows all. May we honor Him even in the secret places and moments where no one else can see. Bless you!
Thanks Melissa. I really appreciate you. God bless.
Excellent post, and thanks for the reminder, which I always need. As you say, “a little bad yeast will spread throughout the batch and ruin it.” Amen!
Thanks Jessica. We must always be vigilant. God bless
Great post, Yvonne. I think it is more loving to warn someone about their sin and give them the reasons why it’s harmful rather than support, enable, or ignore it. We hurt people when we do this. As you shared so well, a little leaven ruins the whole loaf.
Thanks Marcie. It is very easy for us to let a little leaven slip in before we realize it. God bless.
I agree 100%, Yvonne. Breaking the rules is breaking the rules. Breaking the law is breaking the law. And sin is sin. There’s no other way to look at it. My family jokes about how my personality is a natural rule-keeper. I’ve had 2 speeding tickets in my life. And I felt horrible. 🙂 If a sign says one thing, that’s what I want to follow. I often make a point to let others know what a posted mandate says.
Yet, we each have to evaluate those hidden, what we know as secret sins or rule-breaking. we think we are getting away with. Jesus modeled this for us. Authentically living as a Christian, asking God to help us obey the rules of the land and keep His commands.
Great thoughts Karen. Jesus did model this for us but we think we know better. I pray for God to help me obey all His commands. God bless.
A sin is a sin whether we try and justify it. God doesn’t look at sin in degrees…if it missing His mark of perfection, it is a sin.
I don’t flash my lights when a cops around either, I figure if you’re worthy of a ticket, you should probably get one.
I agree with you Julie. We must look to Christ for the definition of sin and not look to the popular ways of the world. God bless