You’re busted, Winston.
We recently discovered that our dog, Winston, stealthily crept into our guest bedroom in the dead of night to lounge on the bed. Winston has known the rules since he was a wee pup – all furniture is off limits — and has rarely crossed the line in our presence. But alas, his dark and sneaky streak has now been exposed.
A young man from Brazil, Tiago, stayed with us for several months recently. One night, Tiago emerged from his bedroom to retrieve something in another room and found Winston prancing around on the bed in the guestroom. Just moments before that, Winston had been obediently snoozing on the floor in the hallway – his usual nighttime guard post. But the moment he thought the coast was clear, our shifty pooch hopped up on the forbidden bed.
That rascal.
Who knows how long Winston faked the whole “obedient dog” thing? Was this just one random rebellious act, or had he been diabolically deceiving us night after night, claiming the guest bed for his own? We were surprised he didn’t have a smoking jacket, pipe and stack of novels stashed under there.
My husband used to believe that dogs don’t really “think,” but simply react instinctively to their environments, but he’s changed his mind. It’s obvious that Winston calculates, Winston premeditates, Winston knows exactly what he’s doing.
But the jig is up…as it always eventually is.
There really is no such thing as “getting away with” sin. Never in the long run, and usually not even short-term.
While the lessons of the story are very serious, there’s an almost-funny account in the Bible about the disobedience of King Saul. God had clearly instructed Saul to destroy everything belonging to one of the evil enemies the Israelites conquered. When God said “everything,” God meant everything.
But Saul disobeyed God’s commands and brought home some of the best animals, claiming he was planning to sacrifice them to God (but perhaps more likely hoping to enjoy some good ’ole kosher BBQ).
Saul was off building a monument to himself when the prophet Samuel caught up with him, having been told by God of the king’s disobedience. (Note: If you’re in sin and trying to feel good about it, steer clear of prophets.) When Saul argued that he had obeyed God, Samuel said, “”What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears? What is this lowing of cattle that I hear?” (1 Samuel 15:14).
Saul tried rationalizing, spiritualizing and blame-shifting, but he was busted.
In fact, Saul’s arrogant propensity to trust his own reasoning above God’s eventually cost him his kingdom. Serious stuff.
“The way of transgressors is hard (Proverbs 13:15) … be sure your sin will find out you (Numbers 32:23) … God cannot be mocked… a man reaps what he sows (Gal. 6:7)… whatever is hidden will be disclosed (Mark 4:22).”
Okay, we’ve been warned. There’s no pulling the wool over God’s eyes. Even if we imagine we’re getting away with things, God sees it all. Is there grace and forgiveness in Christ for those who turn from their sin? Absolutely. But it’s a whole lot smarter to live cleanly and freely in the light of God’s ways.
Just ask Saul … or Winston.
Our character is truly defined by what we do when we think nobody is looking.