All growing up (and occasionally now), we had a tendency to name our belongings. We had names for imaginary friends, stuffed animals, toys, phones, freckles — the list goes on. Not much has changed, though. We obviously still name pets and children (duh), but we also name our sin.

Everyone has heard a version of the line “Don’t name it; you’ll become attached.” The same applies. It’s just like you naming that little, abandoned kitten. It no longer held the title of “just another cat”. You made it personal: the dog, the cat, the sin. You took ownership of it.

Before you knew it, you made it a bed, gathered its food, and gave yourself a funny voice every time you talked to it. In case you didn’t catch the parallel, I’ll cut the metaphor. You prepared a place in your life for its inhabitants. You decided what to sacrifice in order for it to grow. You changed who you were to satisfy what you have now named, and now that you’ve named him, he’ll never leave — not on his own.