Since I have been writing recently about divorce, I thought I would shift gears with this post and address one way to prevent problems that can lead to divorce.
It really broke my heart. I hung up the phone and hung my head. Why? How could he have done it?-my brother, my fellow-preacher, my friend leaving his family? The explanation sounded all too familiar. It involved the internet, a clandestine meeting and ultimately, betrayal. Another Christian family victimized by the lies of the deceiver.
He certainly knows his business well. It can all begin so innocently. Very few ever really plan to create a legacy of hurt. But Satan exploits whatever chances he gets to the utmost. Just peek in the crack of his door and if you are not extremely careful he will lead you into the room. This is the very reason Scripture instructs us not to give the devil a “foothold” (Ephesians 4:27). With him, you just don’t go there.
You just don’t flirt back with the attractive person flirting with you if there is a band of commitment on the ring finger of your left hand. It is not simply innocent fun and you just don’t go there.
You just don’t open that first page or click on that first button to expose yourself to questionable and spiritually harmful images. There is a sharp hook behind this bait. You just don’t go there.
You just don’t go into that internet chat room and allow yourself to be drawn into this world of deception. You just don’t go there.
You stay away from the questionable movie, the song with the degrading lyrics, the people who promote ungodliness. You just don’t go there.
“There” is where Satan tells his lies, baits his snares and does his damage. “There” is where families are ruined, lives are destroyed and souls are lost. But don’t just believe me. Consider what James through the Spirit of God said:
“But each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” (James 1:14-15)
We simply cannot afford to allow temptation to drag us by our desires to a date with sin which, if we keep company with long enough, will destroy us. We just don’t ever go there in the first place.
We rely on God’s wisdom and “avoid every kind of evil.” (1st Thessalonians 4:22) We pray to our Father to “lead us not into temptation.” (Matthew 6:13) We faithfully “resist the devil” so he will “flee” from us. (James 4:7)
Remember the door. When Satan knocks at ours we simply refuse to open it- period- not even for a peek. We just don’t even go there.
Posted by dannydodd 