The Point of No Return By Paul Chappell Saturday, Nov 2, 2013 For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead. None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life. Proverbs 2:18–19 Located on the border between the United States and Canada, the three waterfalls of the Niagara River known as the Niagara Falls have the largest water flow rate of any falls in the world. Above the falls, Goat Island divides the river to flow over the Canadian Falls and the American Falls. The swift current of the river around the island forms amazing whitewater rapids that are often referred to as the “point of no return.” Any boater who ventures past that point will be unable to escape being swept over the falls. In every temptation we face, there comes a point of no return—a point where if we go any further, we will go over the edge into sin. At that point, our actions (or lack thereof) determine the outcome. Think of Joseph leaving his coat behind and fleeing from the house where Potiphar’s wife was urging him to sin. In contrast, think of David lingering on the rooftop of the palace to look at Bathsheba. If David had done as Joseph did, the awful sin and suffering that followed would have been avoided. But by remaining in the place of temptation, David passed the point of no return. Paul instructed Timothy, “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Timothy 2:22). The longer we linger near temptation, the more likely we are to sin. Someone said that the reason people struggle with temptation is that they want to discourage it instead of defeat it. Recognizing the horrible consequences of sin, we should treat every temptation as a deadly danger to be avoided. Today’s Proverbs Precept: The best way to overcome temptation is to take decisive action as soon as it appears.
Posted on: Sat, 02 Nov 2013 10:54:28 +0000
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