I just realized that I haven’t had a cold this winter. Usually by this time of year I have suffered through at least two of them. I suppose the reason for my better health is all of the things we are all doing to try to slow the spread of COVID-19. The face covering, social distancing and hand washing has apparently kept me from catching a cold.

Don’t get me wrong. I miss the human contact. I look forward to the day when hugs and handshakes will be the norm again. However, it stands to reason that the more we distance ourselves from germs, the healthier we will be.

The same principle holds true with spiritual disease. The more we distance ourselves from sin and temptation, the less likely we are to engage in improper behavior.

Of course, just like there is no guarantee that we will not get COVID-19, there is no fool-proof way to keep from sinning. But when we Christians do sin, we have forgiveness because our sins are covered by the blood of Jesus.

“My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”—1 John 2:1-2.