Have
you ever made a plan for your daily conduct? Have you considered ahead
of time how you would react to the various temptations that will come to
you?
For
example, have you already planned that you would be in services on
Sunday evening whether or not company comes by, the couch feels
comfortable, or the Super Bowl is on?
Have
you already planned that even though you are late to work, you are going
to obey the speed limit?
Have
you planned, that even as the hot summer approaches, you will not wear
immodest clothing, but that you will dress as you believe Jesus would if
he were in your place?
Have
you already decided that today, if you meet someone, do you immediately
start thinking of a way to bring up a study of the gospel with him or
her?
These
are just some of the myriad of questions that could be considered as
implying situations that are part of our daily life.
Our
text today has an outstanding lesson in this regard. Men understand the
temptation to lust. Our society with all of its advertising in print and
electronics can put that temptation before us everywhere. Brothers and
sisters, there is nothing new under the sun. The form may be different,
but the same temptations existed for the ancient world.
Job,
knowing this made a plan to remain godly
(Job 31:1).
He determined not to let his eyes dwell on the temptation, but to look
away. He determined not to tempt himself by considering what he ought
not to think about. It was his plan to avoid mental or physical
fornication.
Brothers and sisters, what plans have you made to flee from the devil?
God has provided a way of escape from every temptation. Let’s make a
plan to know the escape and take it. Paul determined to die for the
cause of Christ rather than recant or remain silent. It was a good plan
that would take him to heaven. Make a plan to grow, to study, to pray,
to resist temptation.
Plan to
obey God.
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Death Bed Repentance
The Battle Over the Bible