Devotionals

How to Prevent Spiritual Cancer

by Stephen Kimball 
09/06/16
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Ephesians 6:16 “…Take up the shield of faith…” (NIV)

Radiation can be harmful to living cells. Diagnostic imaging uses radiation in the form of x-rays that can potentially damage sensitive DNA and eventually cause cancer. So precautions should be taken when an x-ray is done to limit the amount of radiation to the patient.

Distance and shielding are the two primary radiation safety measures. The first line of defense is distance. When x-ray photons interact with human tissue, some of them get redirected and exit the body randomly in all directions. So, the further someone is away from the subject being x-rayed, the less likely they will encounter these harmful stray x-rays. Second, the patient, and anyone else near them, should be protected by wearing a lead shield. The idea is that the shield, rather than the patient’s body, absorbs the stray radiation minimizing its potential harmful effects.

Sin is a lot like radiation. It is dangerous and can damage the soul, resulting in a spiritual cancer that eats away at our relationship with the savior. The number one defense for a believer should be to move as far away from sin as possible. Don’t even flirt with it because while the damage may be unnoticeable initially, it will eventually take its toll, tearing down your spirit from the inside out. But since we do exist amidst a world of sin and danger, we must dawn the spiritual “Shield of Faith”, so that the fiery darts of the devil cannot penetrate our hearts.

Lord, guide me and guard me that I would recognize the traps that the devil so cleverly devises and give me the will and the strength to avoid them.