Trash Talk: Disposing of Sin in Our Daily Lives
Taking out the trash once again, I reflected on how it is an inevitable part of life—a never-ending accumulation of unwanted and unneeded items. From junk mail and empty drink bottles to discarded medications, tissues, diapers, and old food left in the refrigerator for days, trash is a consistent element we must manage. Once placed in the trash can, whether beside a desk or in the kitchen, it is transferred to a larger receptacle outside and eventually taken to the roadside for collection by the local waste management service, destined for an unknown location.
This process of dealing with trash serves as a poignant reminder of sin. Sin is real and can manifest in various areas of our lives, and we must actively seek to eliminate it, hoping never to encounter it again. Like trash, sin can begin to fester and emit an unpleasant odor if neglected. It is comparable to a dirty diaper, which, if left unattended, causes discomfort for the precious child it belongs to.
As the Holy Spirit works in the life of a believer, sin is exposed, often leading to discomfort. John 16:8 states, "When He comes, He will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment." When we are convicted of our sins, we should strive to seek God's help promptly to remove them from our lives. In Jeremiah’s message to the people of Judah and Israel, he conveyed God’s promise: "I will cleanse them from all the sin they have committed against me and forgive all their sins of rebellion against me" (Jeremiah 33:8). This promise from the Old Testament remains true for us today. As stated in 1 John 1:9, if we confess our sins, "...He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us..."
However, God's promise to remove our sins should not be interpreted as a license to sin freely, expecting forgiveness afterward. Paul addresses this concern in Romans 6:1-2, asking, "...Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means!" As God's children, we should strive to turn away from sin and pursue lives of integrity. Yet, when we stumble and find ourselves ensnared by our old, fleshly nature, we can take comfort in knowing that our God is there, ready to help, forgive, and renew us. For this, I am truly thankful.