Don't Even THINK About It!
If I had a nickel for every time I heard my mom tell me that as a child, or every time I've said that to one of my kids, I'd be rather wealthy!
We've all heard it, but did you know this is a biblical statement?
"Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away". Proverbs 4:14-15
Why do we, as Christians, take the stand that we do on things? Why are we considered prude, or extremists? Because the fall of one's character begins with just a look. Just one footstep placed in the wrong direction. Just one doubt or hesitation. A previous pastor of mine had a formula for this: 'I saw, I coveted, I took, I fell'. That's how it begins every time. Granted 'just one', or 'just this time', may not always end in destruction - but each time a life IS destroyed, it's because it began that way.
God's word tells us to not even pass by it. Don't go anywhere near it, in fact, turn around and go the other direction! Easier said than done, right? There are so many influences pulling us in the wrong direction, even though it may not look wrong to begin with.
I Corinthians tells us that God is faithful to make a way to escape temptation, and there are LOTS of tempting things out there! Our society saturated with immorality and greed. The drive for more, no matter what the cost, is birthed from our selfish nature. We've been promised, however, that there is a way to escape those things that drive us to make unhealthy or damaging decisions. Look for the escape. God promises it's there. Before you put that foot down, before you take a second look, before you move a finger, look for the way out. It will be there if you'll but seek it.
Fight the good fight!
Jenny
We've all heard it, but did you know this is a biblical statement?
"Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away". Proverbs 4:14-15
Why do we, as Christians, take the stand that we do on things? Why are we considered prude, or extremists? Because the fall of one's character begins with just a look. Just one footstep placed in the wrong direction. Just one doubt or hesitation. A previous pastor of mine had a formula for this: 'I saw, I coveted, I took, I fell'. That's how it begins every time. Granted 'just one', or 'just this time', may not always end in destruction - but each time a life IS destroyed, it's because it began that way.
God's word tells us to not even pass by it. Don't go anywhere near it, in fact, turn around and go the other direction! Easier said than done, right? There are so many influences pulling us in the wrong direction, even though it may not look wrong to begin with.
I Corinthians tells us that God is faithful to make a way to escape temptation, and there are LOTS of tempting things out there! Our society saturated with immorality and greed. The drive for more, no matter what the cost, is birthed from our selfish nature. We've been promised, however, that there is a way to escape those things that drive us to make unhealthy or damaging decisions. Look for the escape. God promises it's there. Before you put that foot down, before you take a second look, before you move a finger, look for the way out. It will be there if you'll but seek it.
Fight the good fight!
Jenny
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