It may surprise you to learn that one of my favourite films was ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” a martial arts film made by Ang Lee a number of years ago. I loved the epic nature of the cinematography and the music. The plot-line was hilarious and far-fetched. But it was beauty itself on screen.

“Crouching Tiger, hidden dragon” is a literal translation of a chinese proverb that means the true character of a person is sometimes hidden and implicit.

I think the same can be said of sin.

When God speaks to Adam’s son Cain in Genesis 4, He says this:

“Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”

The word “crouching” here does not mean what we mean by that visual image. It means lying down prostrate. In other words, sin is not ready to pounce at you; it is ready to trip you up. It does nothing but lie in wait for you.

This is much more subtle isn’t it?
It is harder to be on our guard against tripping up than it is to be ready for someone to pounce on us.

Today, be aware of the crouching tiger in your life. What is about to trip you up? Arrogance? Anger? Self pity? Judgement? Bitterness? Malice? Gluttony?

Be aware that the tiger is patient and is waiting just outside your door. As God says, “It desires to have you, but you must (and can) rule over it.”
May you and I be tiger tamers today.