WEDNESDAY, JULY 10
“So I came out to meet you, Diligently to seek your face, And I have found you. I have spread my bed with tapestry, Colored coverings of Egyptian linen. I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.”
Proverbs 7:15-16 ESV
AVOIDING MORAL FAILURE: AVOID FIGHTING WHEN YOU SHOULD RUN
One time there was two fish who were best friends. They were an odd couple; one was a high-strung bass the other a laid-back carp. One day they were swimming around talking about girl fish and enjoying each other’s company. Then suddenly, a worm drops in front of them, the bass says, “dinner is served.” The carp yelled, “Lookout, it’s a trap!”
The bass said it looked alright to him and swam toward it. The carp said there was a hook and line there, and the ole bass said he’d just get a nibble. He got a nibble and said, “Boy, that sure is a good worm.” The carp told him to leave it alone, but the bass was already caught by temptation. He lunged and took the worm and the fisherman set the hook and reeled him in.
Sin can be very attractive. And we can easily overestimate our own ability to resist. In Proverbs 7:15 the immoral woman was diligent to come and tempt the simple and foolish man. She was crafty and put energy and effort into finding this man and finding what he liked. She set a trap that she knew would appeal to his flesh. James 1:14-15 says, “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire, when it has conceived, gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is fully grown, brings forth death.” Our own desires can be the “lure” that Satan uses to draw us in when we should be running.
Sometimes our best defense, when it comes to temptation, is a good pair of running shoes. The bible does say we should fight the good fight of faith but it also says we should flee temptation. God’s wisdom is knowing when we should stay and fight and when the best thing to do is to run. James 1 makes a distinction between temptations and trials. Take some time and read James 1 today and ask God in what areas are you supposed to be fighting to stay faithful and in what areas should you be running to stay faithful.
