In 1 Timothy 6:11 I read, “Run from all these evil things.” (NLT)
Do I have an emergency plan for getting away when I’m tempted? Do I have preventative strategies to help me stay away from my biggest temptations? If I don’t have those things, I need them now!
First, my emergency plan. When I find myself lf tempted, I need a panic button, an emergency plan. The Bible is clear about what that emergency plan is: run.
1 Timothy 6:11 says, “Run from all these evil things” (NLT).
The Bible says I need to move quickly out of any situation that causes me temptation. Never argue with a temptation. I’ll always lose. Emotions will take over, and emotions aren’t always logical.
No matter the temptation, I have to get away. It could be a temptation to cheat in business. It could be a sexual temptation. But my response should be the same: Get out.
But even better than running from temptation is to prevent temptation in the first place. Another way to say that is this: If I don’t want to get stung, stay away from the bees.
Don’t wait until I’m faced with a morally questionable deal to decide that the way I conduct business will be above reproach. Build into my work behaviour accountability that prevents me from being tempted in the moment.
Take time today to develop preventative strategies for temptation. And when those don’t work out, have an emergency plan: Don’t resist temptation—run from it. That’s the simplest and surest way out.
In summary, run from all evil things. I need to equip myself with an emergency plan for getting away when I’m tempted. I need to have preventative strategies to help me stay away from my biggest temptations. First, consider my emergency plan. When I find myself lf tempted, I need a panic button, an emergency plan. The Bible is clear about what that emergency plan is: run. Move quickly away from any situation that causes me temptation. Never argue with it. I’ll always lose. Emotions will take over. No matter the temptation, I have to get away. But even better than running from temptation is to prevent it in the first place.”If I don’t want to get stung, stay away from the bees.” I shouldn't wait until I’m faced with a morally questionable deal to decide that the way I conduct business will be above reproach. Build into my work behaviour accountability that prevents me from being tempted in the moment. I need to take time today to develop preventative strategies for temptations. And when those don’t work out, have an emergency plan: So don’t resist temptation, learn to run from it. That will be the simplest and surest way out.
Today’s passage reminds me to run from all evil things. I am to pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. Being a follower of Jesus is not a passive action. I must have an active faith, training, working hard, sacrificing, and doing what I know is right. My discipline and obedience largely define whether or not I will be a contributor or merely a spectator.
Lord, I need you. Please give me Your strength for today and remind me in little ways that I can believe in, have faith and to trust you in everything including being the authority for my life, my self-worth and my future. You have my best interests in mind. I need to learn to steer clear of tempting situations or run when I face them. I ask you for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership, my interactions with others, my preparation for a future job role and for leading a small group. I pray these things through you Son Jesus’ name, amen.
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