Don't Even Go There

“I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.” (Ps 119:101 AV)

Notice how keeping the law is dependent upon the environment in which the writer allows himself to be.  The little word ‘that’ makes keeping the word of God the goal while the means to that goal is keeping his life free from any evil way that may make keeping the law more difficult.  Staying out of places of sin makes it much easier not to sin.  What can also be suggested is the writer knows if he is placed in a wicked environment, he is far more likely to fall than if he wasn’t there.  This is not a statement of weakness.  Rather, it is maturity and strength that makes his decision.

How many of us have been tempted to polish off a nice dinner with a fattening dessert?  There are a few restaurants my wife and I like to frequent.  One is very reasonably priced, but the ambience is top-notch.  This place could be a five-star place only if they raised the prices.  The entire experience is excellent.  They know how to time your servings so you don’t feel rushed.  After the mean meal, the waiter or waitress will come around with a tray of desserts.  Some restaurants will use plasticized offerings.  At one time they were authentic food, but they were infused with plastics and now are a mere representation of the real thing.  Some of these are so real that if they were dusted and cleaned every night, you would hardly notice a different.  This restaurant brought out the real thing.  Unless you tell them ahead of time that dessert will not be necessary, you are tempted to order something even if it means you take it home.

Part of the battle for holiness is being in the right place at the right time.  Or not being in the wrong place at the wrong time.  We make it harder on ourselves by tiptoeing around sin, thinking we can defeat it.  It would be better not to go there at all.  Others may think us weak.  After all, the world does this all the time.  They wave a gigantic piece of chocolate cake in front of you, and when you decline, they see you as strong.  However, if you decline the wave to begin with, they think you have no willpower.  Not true.  Simply put, our willpower is exercise much earlier.  If only we could refrain from the mere appearance of evil, then perhaps we would fare better when temptation appears.