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Avoid Temptation

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IDENTIFY YOUR WEAK SPOTS -- Joshua 23:6-11 NIV


"Be very strong; be careful to obey all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, without turning aside to the right or to the left.  Do not associate with these nations that remain among you; do not invoke the names of their gods or swear by them. You must not serve them or bow down to them.  But you are to hold fast to the LORD your God, as you have until now.


"The LORD has driven out before you great and powerful nations; to this day no one has been able to withstand you.  One of you routs a thousand, because the LORD your God fights for you, just as he promised.  So be very careful to love the LORD your God.”


 


Joshua was fully aware of the weak spots of the people of Israel.  So on his death bed, he again warned them about how to avoid falling into the problems caused by sin.  He told them three things: to follow the Law of Moses without turning aside; to avoid associating with the pagan nations or worshiping their gods; and to not intermarry with the pagan people.


 


That´s pretty cut and dried.  It´s also very practical.  Joshua knew that if the people avoided getting into a tempting situation, they would stay away from sin, and thus away from the problems arising from sin.  He identified their weak spots so they would know what to avoid.


 


You and I can do the same thing in our own lives.  We all have weak spots - situations and circumstances that make it much more difficult for us to avoid doing something we shouldn´t.  And we all know exactly what those situations and circumstances are.  Some of them are very obvious.  If a person is an alcoholic, a bar or a party where liquor is being served is a dangerous place for that person to be.  If you´re trying to lose weight, it´s not a good idea to go to an "all you can eat" Italian restaurant, especially if pasta is your biggest downfall.  If you´re in debt up to your ears, the best thing you could do for yourself is cut up your credit cards and close all your charge accounts.


 


Joshua was a smart man.  He had the right idea… identify your weak spots.  Pinpoint exactly where you are most likely to sin… what temptation is the one you just cannot overcome… then avoid that situation altogether.


 


Try it.  It works.


 



Submitted  10/31/2007 12:05:11 AM | Author: Bonnie Ricks
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