Do We Flirt or Flee

Tempt the Dog

Jim loved to tease the dog next door. He would go into his back yard and throw sticks at the pit bull. The pit bull had a hatred for Jim. He would try to get through the fence that was between them. Jim was confident he could not get over the fence. He was right but he flirted a little too much.

What Happens When You Flirt With Danger

One morning as Jim went out the door the dog ran full speed at him. The pit bull hit the fence and bounced off it. Jim laughed and picked up a stick at through it toward the dog. As Jim went about his business in his yard the pit bull growled from the other side of the fence. Jim wasn't satisfied with the stick throwing. He approached the fence provoking the dog. Jim was against the fence when all the sudden the dog leaped into the air and grabbed Jim by the arm. Jim yelled in pain as the pit bull drove his teeth deeper into his forearm.

Do You Flirt

Has anything like this ever happened to you? Do you ever flirt with danger? Every time we do something that lures us to sin we are flirting. The question is why do we do it? Why do we flirt with sin. Why do we put ourselves in situations that make it harder to resist the devil? James 4:7 says, "Resist the devil and he will flee from you."

Why Do We Flirt

If I have a problem with lust, should I look at the latest Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue? That is like provoking that pit bull to bite. If you already have a problem with lust don't flirt but flee. Stay away from the magazines. If you are tempted to view pornography do you get on the internet where you know the temptation will increase? Do you turn on the TV late at night when you know no one is watching? Why flirt with sin? Flee from it. Don't allow yourself to be tempted beyond what you already are.

Flee

The fact is many of us flirt with sin. If we stay away from the fence we can't get bit. If we continue to go near the fence then we will continue to get bit. Flee from sin. If that means keep the television off, then do it. If that means stay away from the bar, then do it. If that means get rid a friend who is a bad influence, then do it. Do not continue to flirt. Life is hard enough. Do not make it harder to resist temptation. "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double minded" (James 4:8). If we flirt with temptation we are not resisting the devil but drawing closer to him. This brings us further away from God. Flee sin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!