The other day I noticed something on my 2008 Ford Ranger that every vehicle owner dreads — rust. It’s the slow destroyer of trucks and cars. It starts small, almost unnoticed, but if it’s ignored it spreads until the damage is deep and costly. I know when the weather finally warms up — and it is definitely not warm as I’m writing this — I’ll have to deal with it. It will take sanding, primer, and paint. Left alone, rust only grows.

Sin works much the same way. If we don’t deal with it, it spreads into other areas of life. It’s like a root that, if not removed, grows out of control. Paul told the church at Corinth that “a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump” — the point being that what is allowed to remain will eventually affect everything. Small tolerated sin never stays small.

So how do we deal with sin? It begins with honesty — with ourselves and with God. Scripture reminds us that “he that covereth his sins shall not prosper” (Proverbs 28:13). Sin must be recognized before it can be repented of. When Jesus confronted the churches in Revelation, His message was consistent: repent. We must acknowledge sin and bring it before the Lord rather than ignore it.

Old trucks eventually give out because of rust. But we do not have to let sin consume our lives. When we are honest with God, repent sincerely, and turn our hearts back toward Him, He cleanses and restores. The rust of sin can be removed when it is brought into the light.