There is a common illustration you have probably heard that is often called The Snowball Effect. The premise behind it is simple: Even the smallest snowball, when allowed to roll down a snowy hill, will collect more and more snow, and eventually, if allowed to roll long enough, will become a very large snowball. We can apply the illustration to many things, but think about it today in regard to sin.
Sin often starts small. An addict doesn’t just wake up one morning an addict. There is a process involved, which began, at one point, with one first sample. The same is true for many situations. Take the example of the Gentiles of whom Paul spoke in Romans 1:18-32.
We are aware that these people ended up in a vile state of living. In verses 22-32, Paul recorded their complete abandonment of God. They had forgotten about Him, and replaced His worship with worship of idols and the like. Romans 1:24 tells us God gave them up to uncleanness, and the “lusts of their hearts.” What a shameful situation in which to be involved!
How did they get there? In verses 20-21, we are told that they at one time knew God, but simply refused to glorify Him as God. They knew that He was there, and knew all that He had done; they just simply turned a deaf ear. In familiar terms, we might say they didn’t “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). How many can say they have never violated the Lord’s principle for priorities?
However, hitting closer to home is the beginning point of their sin: the little snowball, if you will. Notice verse 18. God’s wrath was revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men “who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.” That is where it all began! They suppressed the truth. In simple terms, we might say, they ceased to allow the Truth to have an effect on their lives. This principle is very familiar. How often do we read or hear the Truth and let it go in one ear and out the other? How often does the world have more of an influence on our lives than the Word of God? If the truth does not control our lives—every aspect of our lives—are we not doing as those Gentiles did? Are we not suppressing the Truth?
Remember, the vile state in which those Gentiles found themselves, and the simple beginning it had. If we participate in the same simple beginning, who is to say we won’t have the same end? If the Truth doesn’t control our lives, what will?
