THE VIRUS OF SIN

daily As I was denying access to a Virus that wants to enter my computer it dawned on me that something similar happens to a person when confronted with the evil of sin.
Reflecting further on this similarity, the following insights came to me.

1. A Virus is destructive.
Sin, indeed, is destructive of a person’s health, physically as well as spiritually. Physically, sin can cause sickness in one’s body. Spiritually, sin can destroy one’s relationship with God.

2. A Virus can cause destruction only if allowed to enter a computer. Sin, likewise, can ruin a person physically and spiritually only if one yields to the temptation and willingly does something against the dictates of his conscience.

3. The destruction caused by a Virus to a computer could be total or partial. Similarly, sin can ruin a person partially or totally depending on its gravity, wether venial or mortal.

Now, how can we prevent the entry of any Virus to our computer?
There are two commands we can use: Deny Access or Delete.

In like manner one can protect himself from sin by denying access to it or deleting it.

So, the question is how to deny access or delete the virus of sin.

The essence of sin is disobedience to the Will of God. A person is usually made aware of the Will of God through his conscience, which is considered the “Voice of God” in oneself. Hence, sin comes in when a person would prefer to do his own will rather than follow what his conscience tells him.

In every situation, therefore, a person is confronted with the question: “Whose will shall I follow – my will or God’s Will.?” This is where one’s decision would greatly depend on one’s orientation or attitude in his relationship with God.

One’s relationship with God is a matter of Faith. Faith in God is what we accept of what we know about God. Faith, however, is manifested in the way we live. If we live what we believe, it becomes a Living Faith. But if our Faith is only with our lips and we do not put it into practise, then our Faith is dead.

A strong faith in God is, therefore, the antidote to the virus of sin.

Faith is a Gift of God that one receives when he acknowledges the Reality of a Supreme Being Who is the Creator of the whole universe. This faith, however, is like a seed that needs to be watered and cultivated in order to grow. It is watered by one’s sincere search for more and more understanding of the Mystery of God, and it is cultivated by one’s daily and meaningful practise of one’s faith.

For us Christians who believe in the Reality of Christ as the Son of the Living God, Christ challenges us if we wish to grow in our faith by these words: “If anyone wants to be my disciple, he must deny himself, take up his cross , and come follow Me”. (Lk. 9:23).

By: Salvador "Buddy" Cagurangan
July 12, 2009