The Daily Office for August 14, 2012
Scriptures
Psalm 95
Judges 13:1-15
Acts 5:27-42
John 3:22-36
Reading (Psalm 95)
Reflection
There are four clearly defined steps that Eve took on the pathway to sin. First, when the woman saw that the tree was good for food. Sin begins with the sight of sin. The sight of sin itself is not sin, but that is where the pathway that leads to sin embarks. Thus, as much as is possible, the very sight of sin ought to be avoided. When the woman looked at the tree, she saw that it was a tree to be desired. Her second step on the pathway to sin was desire. Sight alone is no crime; but to desire that which we have innocently seen, if it cannot be ours, is sin. Eve’s third step on the pathway to sin occurred when she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat. She had already sinned by coveting that which was not to be coveted; but she deepened her sin by indulging, by taking that which was not rightfully hers according to the prohibition of God. Desiring the forbidden fruit was covert sin; taking and eating of the fruit was overt and active sin.
Eve had now fallen into sin. She had followed the three inevitable steps that lead to sin: (1) sight; (2) desire; and (3) gratification. It still would have been a great tragedy if these were the only three steps on the pathway to sin, but there is one more. After Eve saw the forbidden fruit, desired it, and took of it, she gave also unto her husband with her: and he did eat. Unfortunately, the final step on the path to sin is the involvement of others in our sin. There is no such thing as private sin; every sin affects someone else.
Collect of the Day
Lord of heaven and earth, as Jesus taught his disciples to be persistent in prayer, give us patience and courage never to lose hope, but always to bring our prayers before you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.