Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
   - James 1:14-15

Very often good health depends on discovering a disease at an early stage before it has caused much damage, or has even become irreversible. One of the services of the American Cancer Society is that it teaches people to recognize danger signals at an early stage. As we all know, many diseases have an incubation period during which there are few or no obvious symptoms, although the germs are rapidly multiplying in the body.

In the above verses we see the gradual yet disastrous steps which lead to that fatal disease called "sin." It begins by desire first tempting, then drawing away, then enticing. Desire, having conceived, then gives birth to sin.

What we recognize as sin, then, is often the final manifestation of sin which has been permitted to work over a period of time in our hearts. It was there, though it was unnoticed; it entered our hearts before it became evident in our actions. This is why the Holy Spirit says: "Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life" (Proverbs 4:23).

Some of the danger signals that a Christian should be alert to are:

1. Loss of appetite for the Word of God.
2. Being too busy to pray.
3. Finding excuses for "forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some" (Hebrews 10:25)---that is, avoiding Christian meetings.

There are many other danger signals, and the more we are sensitive to the voice of God, the more readily we will recognize them and thus spare ourselves much agony. Let us heed the words of our Lord and Savior: "What I say to you, I say to all: Watch!" (Mark 13:37).

Dr. A. Behnam