SCRIPTURE READING
Proverbs 26:11 (NIV); As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.
Well, this verse paints an extremely unpleasant picture. We would all agree that vomit is repulsive.
It is on a completely different level than most other bodily functions; the body’s response to a
malfunction. And the Bible compares repeated mistakes to one who would return to wallow in his
own vomit.
As we deal with sin issues and bondages in our lives, we are bound to make mistakes. Sometimes
the Spirit brings immediate freedom from a long-time addiction, and other times the battle for
victory is fierce. This proverb is not referring to us when we mess up out of immaturity. God’s grace
and forgiveness are repeatedly extended when we strive to follow Him and sincerely repent of
sinful habits and attitudes. But many of us have areas that we leave untouched. We may confess
them at cell or a prayer summer, or to a spouse, but we never really surrender our heart in the
confession. This area of sin that we have nurtured and harboured for so long is hard to give up.
There is a measure of our identity and security wrapped up in the anger problem, or lying problem
or whatever. This is the dog returning to its vomit. This is what we must not do, or we risk falling
down the slippery slope of the fool.
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. Ask God to show you areas of sin that your heart does not really want to be rid of (bad habits,
guilty pleasures, attitudes, lusts, etc.)
2. Recall a time when God gave you freedom over a major issue. How did it feel to have that
victory? How have you been able to maintain the change?
3. Ask the Spirit to use this memory to spur you on to surrender your areas of sin that are hard
to let go of. Ask Him to show you how conquering this thing could change the way you live.
4. Seek help to deal with this sin area. Confess and pray with a friend, cell leader or prayer
minister.
