January 29, 2005
Ice-Cream Man
Read: 1 Corinthians 10:1-13
Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. —2 Timothy 2:22
Bible In One Year: Exodus 5-7
Little Jeff was trying his best to save money to buy his mother a present. It was a terrible struggle because he gave in so easily to the temptation to buy goodies from the ice-cream man whenever the brightly colored van came through the neighborhood.
One night after his mother had tucked him in bed, she overheard him pray, "Please, God, help me run away when the ice-cream man comes tomorrow." Even at his young age he had learned that one of the best ways to overcome temptation is to avoid what appeals to our weaknesses.
All believers are tempted to sin. Yet they need not give in. The Lord provides the way to be victorious over evil enticements (1 Corinthians 10:13). But we must do our part. Sometimes that involves avoiding situations that would contribute to our spiritual defeat.
The apostle Paul admonished Timothy to run away from the evil desires of youth (2 Timothy 2:22). He was to keep his distance from the temptations that might cause him to yield because of their strong appeal. That's good advice.
If possible, we should never let ourselves be in the wrong places or with people who will tempt us to do the things we should be avoiding.
Be sure to run from the "ice-cream man"! —Richard De Haan
A fool is one who'd stay;
For those who toy with evil
Soon learn it doesn't pay. —D. De Haan
We fall into temptation when we don't flee from it.