"...But exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." (Heb. 3:13) "For the wages of sin is death..." (Rom. 6:23)

Racoons go through a glandular change at about 24 months, after which they often attack their owners. Since a 30-pound racoon can be equal to a 100-pound dog in a scrap, I felt compelled to mention the change coming to a pet racoon owned by a young friend of mine, Julie. She listened politely as I explained the coming danger. I'll never forget her answer, "It will be different for me..." And she smiled as she added, "Bandit wouldn't hurt me. He just wouldn't."

Three months later Julie underwent plastic surgery for facial lacerations sustained when her adult racoon attacked her for no apparent reason. Bandit was released into the wild. (From A View From The Zoo, by Gary Richmond)

Likewise, sin often comes dressed in an adorable disguise, and as one plays with it, it is easy to say, "It will be different for me." The results are inevitable; sin always pays it wages.