Scripture: Proverbs 5:1-23 (especially v8) Keep to a path far from her; do not go near the door of her house.
Observation Sin has already won if one goes to a place where they know they will be tempted. The only way to not give sin a foothold in one’s life is to avoid temptation in the first place. If the adulteress has no wisdom (verse 6), and to commit adultery with her is to take punishment on oneself (9-14), and if her words drip like oil (3), it is better to go where one will not encounter her. The same is true for any sin at any time (even in one’s own mind). If one does not allow oneself to be tempted in this or that area (whatever it is), sin has no foothold.
Application I’m pretty good at this physically. Wisdom has kept me from sin’s door. But what about mentally? If I allow my thoughts to go where I don’t allow my body to enter, am I not sinful? I try, but not all the time, and often not very hard. But my mind and my heart are the source of who I am. Impurity of heart is still impurity.
Life application for today Pay attention to your ‘mental game’. But today – just today – I will take the next step to keep my heart and heart pure.
Prayer Help me to be aware of temptation right when (or before!) it happens so I will turn away and not cross the line into sin.