After a 10 year absence from the South I had forgotten the importance of identifying poison ivy before doing yard work. I expect to be continually reminded of it for the next couple of weeks. A half-conscious scratch caused it to spread like wildfire. This illustrates the power of sin. A policy of containment will require constant discipline, since the urge is strong, but is the only way to health.

This reminds me of a couple more "sin to body" analogies.

"Sin is like a man's beard. You can shave it today, but it'll be back again tomorrow." - Martin Luther

"The feeling of wearing a hat continues after the hat is removed. This is like the feeling of still being in our sins." - John Bunyan