15Aug16

Ephesians 4:19 (ESV)
They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity.

"Callus" - a thickened and hardened part of the skin or soft tissue, especially in an area that has been subjected to friction. Our bodies react to pressure, to friction, with this amazing response of forming calluses to prevent us from feeling the pain and toughen the skin in that place. For most things this is a great asset. When I first started playing guitar I found I could only play for a little period of time before my fingers would hurt, blister, and bleed. Now, I am able to play for long periods of time with no consequence. The trade off? I have lost sensitivity in my finger tips on my left hand. This tradeoff is worth it to me because I am able to continue to do what I love doing. The problem comes when we get calluses in the wrong places. When we become callous.

Our heart is not a place we want to be callous. But, it happens, over time, due to exposure and friction with our conscience. The Holy Spirit tries to convict us, to show us the right way, and to move us according to His will. But, every time we choose the opposite it leaves a deposit on our hearts. We don't feel it as bad the next time. Less the next time. Even less the next time. Until we don't feel it at all and can do as we please without regard to God in that area of our life. That's what habitual sin does to us. At some point it just doesn't feel wrong anymore. We've lost our sensitivity. The only way to get it back is the same way I regain feeling in my fingers. I have to stop playing for a while... soak them... and then peel them off. That makes me ultra-sensitive for a little while until it heals. But, God wants us to be ultra-sensitive to Him. Confess your sin, ask for forgiveness, make amends, and remove the callus in your life.