Little Nicks --- Big Trouble!

Read: Galatians 5:16-26

A little leaven leavens the whole lump. --- Galatians 5:9

The Bible In One Year:
Isaiah 37-39

We couldn't figure it out. My sn and I had purchased an old powerboat for fishing and couldn't make it run properly. We were unable to get it up to speed, and it shuddered when we tried to go faster. We figured that the trouble was with the fuel system, so we adjusted the carburetor and changed the fuel filter. But that still didn't solve the problem.

When we took the boat out of the water, my son found the cause of the trouble. One of the propeller fins had a 3/4-inch [2 cm] nick in it. That can't be it, I thought. That nick is too small. But when we installed a new propeller, what a difference it made! We had been slowed down by a tiny nick.

A similar problem is often at work in our lives as Christians. Sinful practices like those described in Galatians 5:16-21 have their roots in the seemingly insignificant thoughts and attitudes of the heart [Matthew 5:28; 15:18-19]. If we ignore or tolerate these "little" sins, they will eventually grow, corrupting more of our thoughts and actions --- even harming people around us. Just as a little yeast leavens a whole lump of dough [Galatians 5:9], so also a "little" sin can eventually weaken our service for Christ and the ministry of His church.

Remember, little nicks can cause big trouble. --- Dave Egner

One little sin, what harm can it do?
Give it free reign and soon there are two.
Then sinful deeds and habits ensue ---
Guard well your thoughts, lest they destroy you. --- D. De Haan

LITTLE SINS WON'T STAY LITTLE.