No Return

“Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.” 

—Proverbs 26:11

Anyone who has ever owned a dog knows that one of the most disgusting things a dog does is eat it’s own vomit. It’s no wonder that it’s the imagery Solomon uses to describe the state of a person who returns to sin. It’s disgusting.

The apostle Peter, in writing about individuals who looked godly, but were actually false teachers, expands the imagery further, “What the true proverb says has happened to them: ‘The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire’"—2 Peter 2:22. Sin is disgusting and dirty.

Sometimes we forget what our lives were like before we came to know Jesus. We need to be reminded again and again in order that we don’t return to our sin. We have a tendency to minimize or rationalize it, but the Bible clears away that notion by presenting pictures comparing to vomit and mire. Returning to sin instills a deplorable picture, like a dog eating its vomit or a pig rolling around in mud and filth. Sin destroys and defiles all, while creating enmity toward God. Embracing sin is a declaration of war, and a total disregard for God’s commands and this mindset must be rooted out and removed.

How about you? Are you eating the vomit of your sin? Are you wallowing in the mire of your own filth? If you are, the only answer is repentance. Turn back. Confess your sin to God and repent. We quickly forget how bad our sin really is. Remember the last time you sinned, how it made you feel after it was over, and how much you vowed not to do it again? Now, think about going back to it—think about feeling the guilt and shame all over again. Think about how much it doesn’t satisfy. Remember, all sin is a lie and once we are able to identify the lie, we are able to see it for what it is, forsake it, and embrace all that God has for us in Christ.

Don’t go back to your sin! If you are a believer in Christ, then there is “no return”! Don’t be like Lot’s wife, who after she was freed from sinful Sodom looked back longingly and turned to a pillar of salt! Remember what Paul wrote! He said,

“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God”—1 Corinthians 6:9-11.

Notice what he said! After listing all of the different types of sins of which people had been guilty of committing he said, “And such were some of you. But you were washed…” He notes that they had been changed and transformed! They were no longer known by their sin, but by their new relationship with the Savior!

How about you? Are you holding fast to your sin or your Savior? You can’t hold both! Cling to the Savior! Anything else leads to your death and destruction!

The Son of God didn’t shed His blood in order for you to be like a dog! He shed His blood so that you may be free! Live in the freedom Christ has purchased! Amen.