LEAVE IT ALONE

Prov. 5:8

Morning Meditation 12/9/2012

"Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house:"

Solomon is here warning his son to shun strange women and to flee from lust and the temptations of sexual impurity. He reminds him that the only safe course is to stay as far away from it as possible. He who plays with fire will be burned. He who plays with temptation will fall into sin. Paul admonishes Timothy to flee youthful lusts. He says this in 2 Timothy 2:22, "Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart." Note the following in the admonition of Paul:

1. The word flee is significant. The word "flee" means, "to flee away, seek safety by flight." This verb is present tense active voice and imperative mood. The present tense refers to continuous action in the present time. It means to continuously look for the sex traps that Satan will put in your way. The active voice is where the subject (Timothy) takes the action. Where the subject is the actor, a decision has to be made. Responsible decisions are expected of God's children. The imperative mood is a command expressing urgency. Why so urgent? It is because one act of adultery can effectively ruin one's life so far as his service to God is concerned. You say, Can't it be forgiven? Absolutely. God's grace will dip its giant arms under the fallen saint and lift him up, set him on his feet, and restore him. However there is a verse in Proverbs that we should look at. Proverbs 6:32-33, "But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul. A wound and dishonor shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away." The adulterer can be forgiven but the reproach will not be wiped away.

2. The positive side of what Paul is telling Timothy is to "follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart." He is telling Timothy to run with the right crowd. Notice the "with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart." There is protection when one identifies with the right crowd. There is temptation in the way of the wrong crowd. One must make a choice about his life and go with those who are going his way.

A company of rats once assembled in a cellar to devise some way of getting the bait out of the trap without getting caught. They had seen too many of their number caught. Still they wanted the bait. After many long speeches and elaborate proposals one rat, who thought he was very wise, suggested the following, 'it is in my opinion that if with one paw we hold down the spring, we can safely snatch the bait with the other paw.' All the rats squealed their approval at this sage solution, but they were interrupted by a sad-looking rat, limping on only three legs. He raised the stump of an amputated paw and said, ' I tried that method, and you see the results. Now let me suggest a plan to escape the trap. Don't go near it, let it alone." This is good advise for those who want to live godly. Don't let yourselves get near something or someone who might tempt you.

Shun evil companions, bad language disdain;

God's name hold in reverence, nor take it in vain;

Be thoughtful and earnest, kind-hearted and true;

Look ever to Jesus, He'll carry you through. --H.R. Palmer

Psalms 19:14, "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer."

This is a sure way to a life of godliness. May the Lord bless these words to our hearts.

In Christ

Bro. White