How Sin is like an Upset Toddler

While a child isn’t inherently evil, toddlers are often self-centered and only care about their unique desires. A toddler often pitches a fit when he doesn’t get his way.  That picture of a screaming two-year old is a pretty accurate depiction of sin. We sin when we choose our ways over God’s best.  It’s the opposite of love, peace, and patience. Sin is more selfish than a crabby toddler. Sin is the desire to receive for self alone.  It’s more dangerous than the terrible two’s on a really bad day.

Romans 3 says that we “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” We get that. We’ve all messed up and chosen selfishly. We’ve hurt ourselves and we’ve hurt others. When we act as if we are all that matters, we are doing the exact opposite of love.

The Hebrew language has a rich vocabulary for sin. Two specific words were used all throughout the Old Testament. The Hebrew word Chata means, “to miss the mark.”  The word could be used to describe a person shooting a bow and arrow and missing the target with the arrow.  When it is used to describe sin, it means that the person has missed the mark that God has established for the person’s life. The Hebrew word Aven describes the crooked or perverse spirit associated with sin. It’s the attitude of self-absorption. The Aven is a harmful habit. Sinful actions often lead to more selfishness. That spoiled brat kid can turn into contentious adult.

There are four main ways that people treat their own toddler ways..  Think on these today and ask the Spirit of God to deliver you from sin’s pull..  First, we often pretend we don’t see it.  This is true for almost everyone as no one wants to amidst they did something wrong or hurtful.  Next, we may argue what we did was right.  This is a type of excuse driven reasoning.  Thirdly, we often decide we don’t care what the rules say; we’re going to do it our way anyway.  This is rebellion at its worst.  And then finally, we might agree it’s wrong, but just try to cover it up.

God, however, wants to erase our mistakes for us. He offers total forgiveness to our stupid choices. And His Spirit is guides us to maturity in the faith so we no longer are dominated by our own desires.  Like that out-of-control toddler, we can put selfishness in timeout. Sin does not have to beat us!  “Sin shall not be your master, because you are not under the law of sin, but under grace,” Romans 6:14.