The world is well informed of the COVID-19 pandemic.  It is a major concern for people all over the world.  We are reminded regularly of all the guidelines and precautions that must be taken to help minimize the impact of the virus on people.  It has already taken its toll on many families who have seen loved ones die from the virus.  It is serious and I do my best to observe the precautions.

But there is something else going on right now here in Rock Springs that is an issue all in itself.  It is not seen as serious as the pandemic, but it is extremely annoying.  We have a “mothdemic” taking place.  They are everywhere and getting into everything, places that make you scratch your head in wonder of how did they get in there?  They are not life threatening, nor detrimental to the economy, but they are annoying.  You might think that I have lost my mind, and there could be a valid argument for that.  However, there is a reason for this crazy comparison.  Read the following scripture:

“Who perceives his unintentional sins?

Cleanse me from my hidden faults.

Moreover, keep your servant from willful sins;

do not let them rule me.

Then I will be blameless

and cleansed from blatant rebellion.”

Psalm 19:12-13

The Psalmist David got real with God.  He knew that there were willful sins that he committed things that were visible by others when committed.  There was no hiding them from others or from God.  David calls it blatant rebellion.  Hopefully, as you grow in Christ and understand more of God’s instructions and commands for living righteously any willful sin diminishes so that you do not walk in blatant rebellion to God and His Holiness.  The pandemic is obvious, and it is visible by all people of the world.  The world in response seeks to minimize its affect and harm to people by taking action against it and seeking a vaccine to protect against the disease.  Since it is so obvious, it must be dealt with, just like willful sin in a believer.  It must be dealt with to be in right relationship with the Father.

But then, there is the unintentional and hidden sin.  This is not obvious to the world, or even a significant number of other people, but the believer and God the Father knows all about it and it is as rebellious as the willful sin.  To be pure in heart and truly holy as believer and follower of Jesus, all sin matters and must be dealt with to keep those hidden sins from eating away at your relationship to God.  The moths are more than annoying they can eat holes in and destroy garments causing frustration and money.  So, even though the world knows nothing about our “mothdemic” we know about it here and have to pay attention to the problem to keep from replacing our wardrobes.  This certainly comes across as an exaggeration, but it is not an exaggeration to say the believer must not ignore or cover up hidden sin because it can eat away at your relationship with God causing you to be out of fellowship with the Father, Jesus and the Spirit.  The challenge then is to daily ask God to check your heart and reveal any sin, willful or hidden, that can hinder your relationship with Jesus.