(Genesis 39:12)
This may seem like an easy question to answer, but think
carefully before you answer. Do you run away from sin, or do you run to
sin?
If you answer honestly, you will have to admit there have been times in your
life when you were guilty of running towards sin, or at least NOT running
when you saw sin coming. I have spoken in past Devotionals about the path of
escape God not only always provides, but promises. There is that instant when your spiritual instincts are telling you exactly what to do. That, my
friend, becomes the moment of truth.
In today's scripture, Joseph saw sin coming. Realizing his own human
weakness, he literally ran from it. THERE IS NOTHING COWARDLY ABOUT RUNNING
FROM SIN. As a matter of fact, it is an act of cowardice to NOT run from
sin. It is like saying, "OK sin, here I am sin, powerless to stand up to
you...just run me over." Anyone can do that. It takes a spiritual giant to
see sin coming and flee from it. The Bible even tells us to "flee from sin."
It is an admonition we need to take more seriously.
The question then becomes, why don't we run from sin? There are two answers
to this. First though, I am not questioning your love of Jesus, even though
sin is rebellion against God. It is because we either, a) don't trust our
spiritual instincts enough to "see" sin coming, or, b) we simply love the
sin
more than the Lord at that moment. That may sound harsh, but it is very
true. Jesus told His disciples that if they loved Him, they would obey His
commandments. As His disciples, we ultimately get the opportunity to show
our love for Him often. It is usually in those cases when we have the
opportunity to run from sin, or stay and indulge in it. Remember the next
time you want to tell Jesus you love Him....show Him by following His
commandments.
I love you and care about you very much. I realize that many are in
difficult situations today because you have succumbed to sin's
temptations...you stayed instead of running. Running is hard. It actually
requires a supernatural strength we only posses through Christ. Again, that
is why that intimate daily relationship with Him is so critical to our daily
walk. It not only strengthens us, but sharpens our spiritual instincts so
we
can see sin coming and run from it. I will be praying for you to really let
these words sink in today. For many, they are very difficult words, but
necessary. They are said in love to help you avoid falling into the traps
the enemy sets for you. Let me leave you with this encouragement. God
BLESSES obedience. Not only is it our most effective way of proving our
love
for the Lord, but a side benefit is that God blesses our obedience. I am
convinced that Joseph reaped the blessings of God for His obedience. What
God did for Joseph, He will do for you. Remember that the next time you see
sin coming...and run!!!
