As righteousness leads to life, so he who pursues evil pursues it to his own death. - Proverbs 11:19
About 25
feet up in the maple tree behind my house hung a gray, cone-shaped object about 10 inches
long. I decided to get closer to find out what it was.
Armed with a long fishing pole and standing on top of a barrel, I steered the end of the
pole into the opening at the bottom of the object. And then it happened! Like a streak of
lightning, down they came, first one, then another! I sprawled on the ground. Soon both
eyes were swollen shut and I had large bumps on my forehead. I had been attacked by
white-faced hornets. That was the last time I bothered them!
So it is with sin. The way to keep from being stung is to stay far from it.
As Israel prepared to enter the Promised Land, the Lord said He would send
"hornets" to drive out their enemies (Exodus 23:28). But God also warned Israel
not to turn from Him (v.33). As the people soon found out, disobedience would bring down
the Lord's stinging judgment on them instead of on their enemies (32:7-10).
So don't try to see how close you can get to sin without getting into troublerather,
see how far you can stay away. Listen to the warnings of God's Word, and don't forget the
pain of past mistakes. Learn from them. If you do, you'll avoid being stung again!
-MRD
Today avoid sin's tempting lures
And evil thoughts subdue,
Or worldly things may take control
And someday master you!
-Bosch
When you flee temptation, be sure you don't leave a forwarding address.