Once last winter when I was praying, in a time of desperation, I imagined the fear within me as a little, hideous creature. When the presense of God was near, the creature huddled, afraid, in the corner of my heart. But when I chose to listen to it, over God, it was a terrifying creature indeed.

Lately I have been thinking of sin with this kind of imagination. Sometimes in my attempt to flee legalism, which trips me up so easily, I forget how damaging sin really is. Jesus’ words on the matter are so freeing. He is not pointing an accusing finger, like I do so ruthlessly at myself, or allow the enemy to. No, Jesus is coming to rescue and free us from it, because he knows how miserably we are enslaved.

In John 8 he says to the Jews who claimed to see, who claimed their righteousness was in their heritage as Abraham’s children:

“I tell you most solemnly that anyone who choses a life of sin is trapped in a dead-end life and is, in fact, a slave. A slave is a transient, who can’t come and go at will. The Son, though, has an established position, the run of the house. So if the Son sets you free, you are free through and through.”

When I imagine sin as these horrifying and oppressing monsters, out to destroy or lock me up, sin doesn’t look so enticing, or insignificant. And when I imagine Jesus as my rescuer, who is able to defeat them and free me, I finally have real hope, that doesn’t come from me.

It also gives me more compassion, and less judgement, when praying for others who are tormented, just like me.