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Run from temptations.
'Run from temptations.' 2 TIMOTHY 2:22
The ancient Greeks loved hero-stories. One of the most famous involves mysterious creatures called Sirens who lived by the sea. The Sirens sang songs so beautiful that passing sailors who heard it were hypnotized and jumped overboard to their death. The hero Odysseus ordered himself to be tied to the mast and the crew's ears filled with wax to block the music; that way they sailed past in safety. Clever guy that Odysseus!
Maturity is about being aware of your danger zones and coming up with ways to avoid that danger. Paul said, 'If you think you are strong...be careful not to fall' (1 Corinthians 10:12 NCV). He told Timothy, 'Run from temptations that capture young people...do the right thing.' That's what Joseph did. When his boss's wife tried to get off with him he didn't
a) get super-spiritual and try to convert her
b) think, 'I'm young, lonely, far from home, and her husband's out of town; maybe just this once'
c) hang around to see how strong his will-power was. No, he legged it saying, 'How...could I do such a wicked thing...against God?' (Genesis 39:9 NIV). The bottom line is this: when you're weak in certain areas you need to steer clear of anything that feeds into them. The Psalmist said, 'You are my safe refuge...where my enemies cannot reach me' (Psalm 61:3 NLT). So, what do you need to avoid?
written by Bob Gass
'Run from temptations.' 2 TIMOTHY 2:22
The ancient Greeks loved hero-stories. One of the most famous involves mysterious creatures called Sirens who lived by the sea. The Sirens sang songs so beautiful that passing sailors who heard it were hypnotized and jumped overboard to their death. The hero Odysseus ordered himself to be tied to the mast and the crew's ears filled with wax to block the music; that way they sailed past in safety. Clever guy that Odysseus!
Maturity is about being aware of your danger zones and coming up with ways to avoid that danger. Paul said, 'If you think you are strong...be careful not to fall' (1 Corinthians 10:12 NCV). He told Timothy, 'Run from temptations that capture young people...do the right thing.' That's what Joseph did. When his boss's wife tried to get off with him he didn't
a) get super-spiritual and try to convert her
b) think, 'I'm young, lonely, far from home, and her husband's out of town; maybe just this once'
c) hang around to see how strong his will-power was. No, he legged it saying, 'How...could I do such a wicked thing...against God?' (Genesis 39:9 NIV). The bottom line is this: when you're weak in certain areas you need to steer clear of anything that feeds into them. The Psalmist said, 'You are my safe refuge...where my enemies cannot reach me' (Psalm 61:3 NLT). So, what do you need to avoid?
written by Bob Gass
