Overcoming the Sin Which Is Crouching at the Door

Mike and Samantha seemed to have a really great marriage. They were active in their small group at church and often made comments which revealed a deep walk with their Lord. They seemed enamored with each other. They held hands when they walked the church halls. Even the way they looked at each other revealed their love and commitment. Their relationship was a model for others to follow.

That was before Samantha was contacted by an old boyfriend on Facebook. It was really innocent. He just asked what she had been doing. Samantha told Mike about the message. He wanted to act like it was no big deal but it really bothered him. He covered his feelings and told Samantha it was okay to reply.

This wasn't a matter of getting Mike's permission. Mike knew that Samantha's and her former boyfriend's relationship had not been a godly one. Samantha told Mike to make sure that replying to her old boyfriend wouldn't hurt Mike. But Mike, wanting to show his trust of Samantha, hid his true feelings and said it would be good to hear from this old boyfriend.

Samantha replied but also made sure that was the end of her contact with the old boyfriend. Her reply was curt; not cute. She did not want to remember her days in this toxic relationship. The old boyfriend got the message and did not continue sending messages.

However, Mike's imagination ran wild. He couldn't help but imagine that their relationship was being rekindled through this contact. He imagined that Samantha was seeking a time to go and see the old boyfriend. His fears began to take greater shape. He began to look at Samantha differently.

Finally, he accused her of doing what he feared. Samantha was appalled. She had never been unfaithful to Mike since they had met. He was truly the love of her life. How could he think she would act so shamefully. She defended herself angrily. Mike supposed her anger was proof that she was hiding what he suspected.

That was six months ago. Mike and Samantha aren't nearly as regular in church and have stopped going to their small group altogether. They have even stopped holding hands.

Sin crouches at the door for each of us. None of us is immune. We must overcome it.

Genesis 4:7 (NIV)
⁷  If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it."