I read about a 32 year old man named Austin Riley recently, who had raised exotic animals in Texas his entire life. He had a warthog named Waylon (after Waylon Jennings). Riley experienced a number of close calls through the years but in October of 2022 something dramatic happened. He was nearly killed while doing routine chores on the family’s Hill Country ranch. The warthog he had raised and treated like a pet, used its razor-sharp, seven-inch tusks to stab him at least fifteen times.

Riley thought he had the trust of the animal and had given him his best as a pet. The warthog’s mother died while in labor and Riley bottle fed the baby animal and raised it with everything it needed. The animal grew to 250 pounds. Everything was fine, until it wasn’t. The warthog attacked with an intent to kill and severely injured Riley. By the time he made it to the hospital he had lost nearly half his blood and he should have died. What happened to the warthog after? He was killed (for safety) and also tested for rabies (which was negative).

Sin is a lot like a pet warthog. It can seem harmless, and enjoyable, sometimes even for lengthy periods of time. Our spiritual enemy does his best work by surprise and Jesus warned us of his intent. John 10:10 “A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.” The application of this is quite clear. We cannot entertain sin and act like it is a safe pet. We must kill sin, and do so with purpose. Colossians 3:5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.

Don’t entertain the warthog of sin in your life and think you are safe! Look to Jesus who said in the last part of John 10:10 “I have come that they may have life and have it in abundance.”