Burning Tents
The Deception of Sin
For those of you who noticed that I missed a post - My family got sick and then we took a vacation to visit my family in Alabama. It’s good to be back and I hope you enjoy this post.
A Fire.
A few weeks ago, three coworkers and I helped a woman out of a burning tent. “Tent” is a generous word. This impromptu shelter was created by several blankets and plastic wrap supported by discarded two-by-fours and a telephone pole.
When we first saw the tent, we called 911 and made sure that the fire department was coming. For a few moments afterwards, we just stared. Then suddenly (sparked by a bus driver across the street) we all realized in the same moment that there might be a person still in the tent.
We ran across the street and started yelling into the tent to see if anyone was inside. There was. We saw a woman who was conscious and alert, but obviously distressed. At this point, the fire was isolated to the entrance of the tent. My coworkers and I began to tear down the plastic wrap and blankets on the backside of the tent in order to make a way for the woman to escape without going through the flames. Initially, she refused to come out of the tent. She was shifting through her belongings saying “I can’t leave without my shoes” as the flames around her continued to catch fire on the structure around her.
The woman eventually listened and decided to come out without her shoes. However, if someone had not been there to tell her otherwise, she certainly would’ve ran back into that tent.
Sin’s Deception.
As I’ve been thinking about that event, I’m reminded of Proverbs 26:11-12:
Like a dog that returns to his vomit
is a fool who repeats his folly.
Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.
To everyone who is looking on, it just seems so foolish. But this is what sin is like. It entices us to come back, despite the fact that it destroys everything that it touches. As the proverb says, a man who is wise in himself is a fool. He fails to see the danger in front of him, all he can see if the enticing desire of his heart.
In his devotional titled Journey to the Cross, Paul David Tripp writes
At the point of sinning, sin doesn’t look horrible; it looks attractive. When you’re lusting, you don’t see danger; you see beauty. When you’re gossiping, you don’t think about its destructiveness, because you’re carried away by the buzz of carrying a tale. When you are overeating, you don’t see the sin in what you’re doing, because you are enjoying the pleasure of the sights and tastes of the food. When you’re cheating on your taxes, you don’t think about the danger of a heart that has become comfortable with thievery, because you’re caught up into thinking about how you will spend the money gained. Part of the deceitfulness of sin is its ability to make what is destructive appear attractive.1
It takes grace to see sin for what it really is: horrible, dangerous, destructive, deadly. This is exactly the grace that is offered to people in Christ. People who turn to trust in Christ see that their sin isn’t so attractive after all. They are able to step back and see the foolishness of returning to such a vile thing.
Once the fire department arrived, they put out the fire very quickly. I walked across the street with some of my coworkers and we gave a tour of the ministry. I could write a whole other post about the whiplash between these two events. But that is for another time…
Honestly, I really wasn’t sure if I was going to share this story or not. But I ultimately decided to do it because it is just such a vivid image of what sin is like. It left me asking myself "what burning tents am I still refusing to leave?” So I’ll ask you - is there a tent burning around you? If so, get out. Turn to Christ and leave whatever is tempting you to linger behind.
And if it were not for Christ, I’m sure I’d run right back into one today.
Counseling.
Many of you know that I work with Anchored Hope as a Biblical Counselor. I’ve recently had a few folks “graduate” counseling. That is a great feeling and I’m really happy to see what the Lord has done in their lives over the last few months. One of the folks I’ve had the please of talking with graciously shared this testimonial.
I had the privilege of working with Tyson for over a year. His deep understanding of scripture and commitment to helping others through the power of God's word was evident in every session. With Tyson, I was able to find healing for my addiction and self-loathing and grow closer to God, which has enabled me to be a better father and husband. I am forever grateful for his guidance and support. I highly recommend Tyson to anyone seeking a trustworthy and compassionate counselor rooted in biblical principles.
I’m really honored and humbled to be able to walk alongside people through difficult life situations. It is a joy to see God work in their lives and give growth.
If you are a friend are struggling, I’d love to talk.
Tripp, Paul David. Journey to the Cross (p. 24). Crossway. Kindle Edition.
Great metaphor. Vivid. Makes me think of Numbers 11:1.