The Slow Damaging Drip of Sin

Insurance companies list dishwashers as a common cause for water damage in homes. One of the reasons why dishwashers make the list  is because the leak is usually out of sight so therefore the slow drip goes undetected until the real damage is done. Unfortunately this damage can be costly. Sin in our life works much the same way. It starts like a slow drip; it is usually out of view and if left unchecked over long periods it causes lasting damage.

I am all too familiar with the problem above. The other day I was walking barefoot on my kitchen floor when suddenly the bottom of my foot scuffed up against a warped floor board. Upon closer examination I realized that four pieces of my hardwood floor were cupped. Cupping is when the edges of each individual floor board becomes raised.

You guessed it; the cupped wood was right in front of my dishwasher. I got down on the floor and removed the toe kick cover plate and I could see a three inch water stain on the floor. I then discovered the leak. The bottom of the twelve year old dishwasher had become corroded and was leaking slowly. The question was, how long had this been dripping?

I replaced the dishwasher at a cost of $750. The water remediation specialists cost an additional $300 to dry the wood to prevent the future possibility of mold. They told me that I would have to wait 2-3 months to see if the cupped wood might relax and return to level. If not, the damaged boards will need to be torn out and replaced. The estimate for that was yet another $1,000. All of this could have been prevented if I would have noticed the leak as soon as it started.

I am fortunate that I caught the problem when I did. Those few pieces of hardwood were only slightly cupped. If I hadn’t detected the problem when I did, and it remained unabated, the sub-flooring could have become damaged and that would have led to rot, decay and mold, and a far greater repair bill.

Now it is time for a personal examination. Do you have some areas of sin in in your life that are going unnoticed? Maybe you notice the sin, but refuse to do anything about it. Left unchecked, our sinfulness only grows worse. Sometimes I think we act as if time itself will just make our sinfulness go away. Time doesn’t kill sin. To deal with sin we must take action. Romans 8:12-13 tells us we must put sin to death.

Sin erodes away our soul. Sin separates us from God. Sin harms us and it harms those we sin against too. Sin can lead us to more sin, and in time, it can cause the loss of our eternal life.

Scott Hahn, PhD states this way: “We have an obligation, first to resist temptation. If we fail then and we sin we have an obligation to repent immediately. If we do not repent, then God lets us have our way: He allows us to experience the natural consequences of our sins, the illicit pleasures. If we fail to repent – through self-denial and acts of penance, God allows us to continue in sin, thereby forming a habit, a vice, which darkens our intellect and weakens our wills.

The slow drip of my dishwasher was hidden out of sight. What sins in your life are you hiding? Luke 8:17 tells us: “For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible, and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light.” Ephesians 5:17 states: “Therefore, do not continue in ignorance, but try to understand what is the will of the Lord.” And finally we read this in 1John 3:8 “Indeed, the Son of God was revealed to destroy the works of the devil.”

As we prepare ourselves for Easter, let’s use these remaining weeks of Lent to check for slow leaks (Sin) in our spiritual life. We want to catch our sin before it causes lasting and possible permanent damage.

Lord show me my sins so that I can repent, change my ways and prevent any permanent damage to my soul.


I will not be writing to you over the next three weeks. My wife and I are going on our 60/40 get away. I turned 60 this past Saturday and my wife will turn 60 later this year and in December we celebrated our 40th anniversary. We will be in the French Polynesian Islands and we will celebrate Easter at the Notre Dame Cathedral in Papeete, Tahiti. I have asked three board members of Broken Door Ministries to fill in for me. Joe Galloway, Pastor Lee Norris and Bob Lange will be writing the 4th Day Letters until I return. I wish you all a Happy Easter a few weeks early.

Brian Pusateri
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36 Comments

  1. Deacon Jack Orlandi on April 3, 2017 at 8:03 am

    Brian, Happy Birthday to both you and your wife and Happy Anniversary to both of you. May you have a God filled vacation and have a FUNtastic time.

    Let’s talk when you return!

    Buona Pasqua!

    Deacon Jack

    • Brian Pusateri on April 3, 2017 at 9:42 am

      Jack

      Thank you from somewhere in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

  2. DeAnne Wickens on March 29, 2017 at 8:04 pm

    Brian, wishing you both a wonderful relaxing joy filled v-a-c-a-t-I-o-n. I know you’re singing along now.. Safe travels, blessings on you both.

    DeAnne

  3. Bill Hartley on March 29, 2017 at 1:32 pm

    God Bless You and your Bride, Brian with a safe and wonderful trip…you both deserve it!

  4. Ken on March 29, 2017 at 12:05 pm

    Brian, Happy Anniversary and Happy Birthday. Have an outstanding vacation! I hope you find the refreshment you surely need and come back renewed in mind, body, and most importantly, in spirit…

  5. Danielle on March 28, 2017 at 11:10 pm

    Have a wonderful time and a blessed Easter. Happy birthday and happy anniversary!!

  6. Patricia Belanger on March 28, 2017 at 9:41 pm

    Have a wonderful trip and make some unforgettable memories.

    Pat

  7. Walter Edwards on March 28, 2017 at 5:12 pm

    Brian, excellent article, “The Slow Damaging Drip Of Sin”. The image “You can’t walk with God holding hands with the devil” makes a deep lasting mpression. That is one to be used in your talks. Enjoy your much deserved 60/40 get away.

  8. Jim Nolan on March 28, 2017 at 1:51 pm

    Have a Blessed Easter and a wonderful trip!

  9. Susan Russell on March 28, 2017 at 12:50 pm

    Have a wonderful 40th anniversary celebration. May the Lord continue to bless you in abundance all the days of your lives. That sounds like a Paradise Vacation if ever there was one!!!
    As always, I so look forward to reading your weekly publications. They truly inspire and enrich my life. I thank you so much for all you do!
    Bon Voyage and have a blessed and wonderful trip!
    Susan Russell

    • Brian Pusateri on March 29, 2017 at 5:42 am

      Susan, thanks you for those very kind word. God bless!

  10. Barbara Levich on March 28, 2017 at 12:17 pm

    I celebrated what I called a “Birthdaversary” last year 70/50. Congratulations on your Birthdaversary.

  11. Mike Wickens on March 28, 2017 at 10:51 am

    Congrats and Happy Birthday. However you have caused me the sin of envy. Have a good time. Mike

    • Brian Pusateri on March 29, 2017 at 5:45 am

      Mike

      Sorry about causing that envy. Bora Bora has been on my bucket list since I first saw South Pacific. We thought we should go while my legs still work. God bless you.

  12. Steve Conn on March 28, 2017 at 10:32 am

    Brian, praying for you and Mary Beth to have a great trip!
    Love you brother,
    Steve

  13. Marilyn Oberembt on March 28, 2017 at 10:27 am

    Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary to you both and have a wonderful trip! Come back safe and inspired to keep writing your wonderful letters.

  14. Ann Staines on March 28, 2017 at 9:02 am

    Have a blessed and happy celebration of your birthday/anniversary milestones.

  15. Keith Bergmaier on March 28, 2017 at 7:32 am

    Praying for you and your wife to have a wonderful and safe trip. Happy Easter!

    YBIC,
    Keith Bergmaier – Ocala

  16. Ed Billick on March 28, 2017 at 7:16 am

    Wish you well Brian. Happy birthday and achieving the 40th wedding anniversary! may God continue to be with you!!

    Ed

  17. Ellis Fincher on March 28, 2017 at 6:51 am

    Travel safe Bryan. I hope you and your bride have a wonderful trip.
    Ellis

  18. Janice Dixon on March 28, 2017 at 1:18 am

    Thank you for your inspirational message as always! Happy Easter to you and your wife and have a wonderful 60/40 get away! I look forward to your return of more letters! God’s blessings be with you and have safe travels!

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