| Flee or Fight, Pt. 1 Nov. 4, 2009 |
you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. There is a time to Fight and there is a time to Flee. We need to learn the difference. Very rarely does God ever tell us to Fight temptation, but there are many occasions in the Bible where He instructs us to Flee it. 1 Corinthians 10:14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 1 Timothy 6:10-11 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. 1 Corinthians 6:18 Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. 2 Timothy 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Just because we flee or retreat from a situation doesn't mean that we are weak or are giving up. Instead, we are using a strategy called "playing it smart." "Playing it smart" gives us time to regroup and refocus before we give in to something that could cost us everything. It is a strategy that the devil uses all the time. If he sees that we are getting the best of him, he will leave and try again later. So why can't we do the same and beat him at his own game? We need to understand that we don't always have to fight in order to win. The reason God provides a way of escape is so we can run away from the snares that so easily entangle us. Eve should have ran away but instead, she chose to fight and that decision cost her the battle. God had already said "Do not eat of this tree," so the decision was already made. There was no reason for her to explain it to the devil because his opinion was irrelevant. That is how a lot of us get into trouble also. Often times, we will fall at the feet of temptation if we choose to fight when God has told us to flee. It usually takes more strength to walk away from something than to fight it. Something to think about. I hope you enjoyed reading the Word of God in a new light. Have a Happy Wednesday! God Bless, Elder Tommy and Sister Shatika Gray |