The image above shows the tip of an iceberg. At first glance, it is almost impossible to imagine that something so small, like a Styrofoam box floating in the middle of the ocean, could cause a tragedy that took the lives of more than 1,500 people on the Titanic. It cut through the ship’s hull, popping out rivets below the waterline over a length of 90m. Water entered the front compartment of the ship, causing a wreck that went down in history.

The watchmen on the Titanic only saw the iceberg after it was very close to the ship. They yelled, but unfortunately there was not enough time to divert it from the large block of ice.

What does this have to do with us?

During our voyage through the sea of life, the Holy Spirit always shows us when to turn away from the tip of the iceberg (sin), which can sink our faith if we are not careful. Usually, it is the “little foxes that spoil the vines”. These things often seem harmless, and are sometimes presented to us by the devil, or the desires of the flesh, or the circumstances of life. When we are not firm and constantly vigilant with what we think, see, speak, hear or feel, we will end up coming so close to the iceberg (sin), that it will be impossible to turn away and a tragedy will be inevitable. When you see the tip of sin from far away, do what Job did:

…and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil. Job 1.1

To preserve his integrity, righteousness and fear of God, Job would: see sin approaching, and flee from it. Joseph did the same by fleeing from the seductive attack of the wife of Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, king of Egypt. Joseph knew that if he did not resist, it would bring tragic consequences to his life. And worst of all, he would loss his communion with the Almighty. On the other hand, King David was not as vigilant.

Then it happened one evening that David arose from his bed and walked on the roof of the king’s house. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing, and the woman was very beautiful to behold. 2 Samuel 11.2

After learning that she was the wife of one of his soldiers, he did not turn away from evil, so he paid a hefty price for his sin, even though the Lord forgave him after a sincere repentance.

Many companions of war, assistants, pastors, bishops and Christians in general, who once fought with us, side by side against hell, are drifting towards the depths of the ocean (hell), others are already there because they saw the tip of the iceberg (sin) and did not turn away from it.

This causes much fear and trembling.

Let us follow the advice that the Holy Spirit gave Timothy through the Apostle Paul:

This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck. 1 Timothy 1.18-19

Think about this!

God bless you!

Take a look at the moment when the tragedy took place: