Most people would agree that limits are of extreme importance. Boundaries are often set and lines drawn to mark off danger zones. Why? Simple. For the sake of our safety. However, ironically, people tend to live close to the line, often looking over the edge . Little do they realise, the more they look over the line, trying to stretch the boundaries as far as they can, the more impulsely their bodies are drawn to cross that line.
Temptation is something we all face. There is no two ways about it as the bible clearly states. My question is, why put yourself through the torture when you have a choice not to? Why put yourself in a place of temptation? In 2 Tim2:22, we are called to FLEE. Over and over again, scripture tells us that it is not about trying to figure out how close we can get to the line but rather turning tail and running the other direction staying as FAR AWAY from danger as we can!Indeed, what honour is there living at evil’s doorstep, fighting against temptation?
We often recite the Lord’s Prayer. In it, Jesus taught us to pray “And lead us not into temptation” . Note that He didn’t say “Help us to fight off temptation or defeat temptation for us. Instead, we pray that God will show us where the ‘line’ is drawn so that we can walk the other direction. God knows our frailty as humans and He graciously provides us a better way.
So the next time we find ourselves near the line, or worst still, peeping over the line, let’s hope that we’ll come to our senses and take huge steps back! Sometimes, we may not realise that we are standing on slim ice; let’s pray that there will be someone who cares enough to say something.
Prov 27:5 reads ” Better is open rebuke than hidden love”
That is true love. So when we say we love our neighbours, people around us, perhaps it will do us good to check whether we really do love them…or….. is our love…..hidden?
Caroline Said:
on October 13, 2009 at 8:42 am
well said. Thanks for the reminder.
van212 Said:
on October 13, 2009 at 10:53 pm
All glory be unto God