Like a dog…

My family has 2 beagles, and I have learned a lot from our family dogs. One of the main things they have taught us is that dogs have some weird habits. Our beagles make it their personal mission to sniff every blade of grass in our yard, chase every other living creature they see, and mark their territory about 10 times on every walk. 

The book of Proverbs highlights one peculiar habit of dogs in a somewhat grotesque analogy. Proverbs 26:11 says, “Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.” It is easy for us to look at an animal and see the disgusting nature of returning to your vomit, but the reality is that when we go back to the foolishness of our sin over and over, knowing that it is wrong, we do the same thing. 

Sin is appealing, no doubt about that. Though it has horrible consequences, when we are caught up in a moment of temptation, we often do not stop to consider the damage of sin. Instead, we are allured by the momentary pleasure of lust, telling someone off, or speaking a lie. But in the aftermath of our sinful choices, we are left empty, sorrowful, hurt, and having hurt others. The Bible was right when it spoke of “the fleeting pleasures of sin,” for sin is only pleasurable for a short time. Then, we are hit with the realization that we have returned to our vomit.

But we go back again and again and again. Some sins can become habits that we feel unable to break. We begin to believe that, although we are in Christ, sin has us in its grasp and we are unable to break free of obeying its every whim. 

But, friend, this is not the truth. Jesus said in John 8:34, “everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.” All of us know this to be true from our personal experience, and if it was left there, this would be bad news with no hope of solving the problem. But Jesus continues, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (v. 36). Jesus offers freedom from sin. We don’t have to keep returning to our folly like a dog does, but instead, we can leave that putrid mess behind. 

So, if you know Jesus, there will be times you struggle with sin. There may be foolish habits you don’t want to keep returning to, but find yourself repeating time and time again. Know that Jesus purchased your freedom at the cross and gave it to you when you accepted His gift. Turn to Him and trust in His power to make you more like Him as you seek to put an end to the sinful cycles in your life. 

But if you do not know Christ, turn to Him. If He sets you free, you will be free indeed! Only with Jesus can we stop returning to our sins. Trust in Him and His freedom.