Jun 05

The illustration that was given of blind fish that live in the dark depths of the sea (yesterday's devotion) is actually a more frightening picture than may be apparent at first.

Think of the varying levels of light that exist in the varying levels of the oceans' waters. For the first few feet, at least some sunlight may penetrate through the water, and there the fish have eyes that see and they move and function with sight. But the farther down one goes, the less light there is, until finally all is blackness and the fish are without sight.

But where is the dividing line between creatures that can see and those that cannot? Most likely, there is no distinct line but one group gradually blends in with another.

Jesus once told a story illustrating how both the wicked of this world and the righteous grow together. God does not weed out all the wicked at this present moment. He is waiting until the final judgment. Then the wicked will be pulled up by its roots and thrown into the fire.

Did all of those wicked suddenly decide to pursue wickedness? Most likely not. Like the blind fish in the darkness of the ocean depths, they simply let themselves sink lower and lower in the darkness of sin until one day they found themselves at the lowest depths--and blind.

What compromises are you making in your life that slip you a little at a time into the lower depths of darkness?

Scripture for today: Matthew 13:24-30
Thought for today: Sin often creeps up rather than springs forth.
Prayer for today: Lord, protect me from slipping into sin. Keep my eyes focused on you and your light.

JUN 05