This is a chapter from the book The Character of Creatures: What the Animal Kingdom Teaches Us About God and His Word.
Pet Sins – The Raccoon
Speaking of raccoons, do you think they are cute? Especially
the babies? Every year people are viciously attacked by their pet raccoon who
suddenly turns on them. Scientifically the raccoon goes through a significant
hormonal change at about 24 months old; physically his change is expressed in
serious injuries or, at best, a very scary situation for his owners.
God has used that cute little cuddly raccoon turned ravenous
attacker to remind us:
…but the
sins of others appear later. ~
1 Timothy 5:24
Discussion:
1.
Sin always comes with a temptation, a pleasure,
and a promise. Sin often feels good for a little while. Eve wanted what the
forbidden fruit could give her, while Moses would not accept the fleeting
pleasures of sin. What promises do people believe about a baby raccoon? Is the
pain worth that promise?
2.
People that get pet raccoons usually know that
raccoons have attacked people in the past, but they say, “It will be different
for me.” Wisdom is learning from the mistakes and sins of others; if sin has
stolen, killed, and destroyed in the past, what makes you think you will get
away with it?
3.
Sin will make all sorts of promises, but it
cannot deliver on any of them. What are some deceitful promises you or your
parents have believed about sin? What are God’s promises about sin? Will his
promises fail?
What fools are they who—for a drop of pleasure—drink a sea of wrath. ~ Thomas Watson
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