When I was a kid and went fishing with my dad, I couldn’t get over how our fish bait, a can of worms, tangled around each other like spaghetti as if to hide. How could anyone untangle such a mess, I wondered?
Eternal Perspectives by Sally Bair
A Can of Worms
Someone once likened humans to a can of worms—crawling with hidden secrets. After a heavy rain, angleworms come up from the ground and cover the sidewalks and roads. When the sun comes out, they dry up and die.
It seems gruesome to think of ourselves as being full of worms. Full of beans, maybe, but not creepy, crawly worms. But the metaphor has merit. Whenever we hang onto our sins and bad habits, purposely hiding them from others, we dry up and begin to die. Those who live with addictions as well as those who are prideful or judgmental may fool others, but not themselves and not God. Some even make light of their habits with lies and excuses.
Recently I read the story of a man who had been addicted to pornography for years. He graduated from buying porn magazines across the counter to Internet porn. When he reached the point of despair, he confessed his secret to a trusted friend and to God. Confronted with the healing power of Christ, he became a free man. He now speaks to groups about his victory over that chokehold on his life.
Anyone desperately bound by any sin can gain victory. First, pride and fear and shame must be let go. That's the hardest part. But the metaphoric worms of our hidden secrets will destroy us if we don't allow the light of God's forgiveness and love to kill them off. Wouldn't we rather have our secrets killed off and not fear our own eternal death?
The metaphor about being a can of worms should make us aware of the compelling need to bring our sins out in the open to God, and perhaps to a trusted friend or pastor. True forgiveness and repentance can come only by admitting our guilt. It's God's imperative! "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:8-9) By doing this, we will be guaranteed of God’s forgiveness, healing, restoration to righteousness, and the blessing of knowing that our prayers will be answered.
Lord, we don't want to hide behind a can of worms. Give us the desire and strength through Your Holy Spirit to release them so we can receive Your healing and blessing. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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