Friday, September 18 Happy is the man who is always on guard.​—Prov. 28:14.

[Áine]

Friday, September 18

Happy is the man who is always on guard.—Prov. 28:14.

 

How can we guard ourselves? Consider what we can learn from the young man discussed in Proverbs chapter 7. He committed sexual immorality with an immoral woman. Verse 22tells us that the young man went after her “suddenly.” But as the preceding verses show, he had taken several steps before this that gradually led him to sin. What led up to his sin? First, in the evening, he “passed along the street near [the immoral woman’s] corner.” Then, he marched toward her house. (Prov. 7:8, 9) Next, when he saw the woman, he did not turn away. Instead, he accepted her kiss and listened as she spoke of the communion sacrifices she had offered, perhaps in an attempt to make him think that she was not a bad person. (Prov. 7:13, 14, 21) Had the young man avoided the dangers that led up to the sin, he would have guarded himself from the temptations and from the sin. w24.07 16 ¶8-9; 19 ¶19

[Seasider]

Our September broadcast reminded us that we live in a world of fake news. Whilst we are not naive to the existence of possible wrongs levelled against us , neither do we believe every word. 1 Peter says that the Devil is like a roaring lion seeking to devour us . A wise Christian keeps up his guard ! 

[Beggar for the Spirit]

"Happy is the man who is always on guard"

 

How similar are those words to Jesus' command to...

“Keep on the watch and pray continually, so that you may not enter into temptation.” MT 26:41

 

The FDS gave a couple of great suggestions:

• "Even during periods when you feel strong, continue to avoid situations that can lead to temptation"
• "...we guard ourselves from sin by keeping far away from the circumstances that lead to it. This might include avoiding certain situations or activities that are not off-limits for Christians in general but that are known to lead us into temptation." Matt. 5:29, 30.

Here are some examples I was thinking of when we might "feel strong" spiritually:

Spoiler

I am happily married

but I must "...continue to avoid situations that can lead to temptation"

 

I am single, happy, and focused spiritually 

but "Happy is the man/woman who is always on guard"

 

I am strong spiritually

I am a Pioneer or an Elder or an MS

but I must ""Keep on the watch" and keep "...far away from the circumstances that lead to (sin)" 

 

I have been in the Truth for many years and I never committed a serious sin

but I must always avoid "...certain situations or activities that are not off-limits for Christians in general but that are known to lead us into temptation."

 

Edited 1 hour ago by Beggar for the Spirit