another one of those things not clearly stated in the bible conversations. got to love those :)
"I personally think it's a perfect example but if we don't want to see it that way we won't. And if satan thinks I am driving a hundred miles out of my way because of signs on the freeway he has really lost it! What would happen "IF" God was waiting for you to Bless someone on the Freeway with all the bad signs, like maybe a child of God broke down and needing help and could even be from "your" Church, what you just find another way to travel and miss out on helping that person?
This is what I mean this is all crazy ness in my opinion, and if we are that bad off and have no will power maybe we should stay in our cellar with just a bottle of water and our Bible and pray God will take us home soon, but I have a news flash for you the "GOD" I serve was tempted everyday he did not avoid he found a way through it, no he would have went down that freeway with all the bad signs ministering and praying and not trying to avoid anything, the minute I have to start avoiding the bad in life is when I stop growing and become stagnant in my walk. I personally want to be out there among the worst those are the ones that need us, if I buy a tool and keep it in my tool box and never use it what good has it done me? My salvation and my accepting Jesus Christ brought the 'Tool" of the Holy Spirit into me to use, and it is a universal tool it fits anything God gives me instructions to use it for, does you tool still look new? want to have it show a little wear drive down that freeway and pray that those signs would burn down or the city would vote to remove them."
i believe God honors it if someone wants to take a long way home to avoid being tempted in something that they may think can cause them to stumble quick. especially when it comes to very lustful images, and most men can fall easily into such things.
let us not deceive ourselves. the flesh is weak if we are not continually abiding in Him. not a lot of christian are in a constant relationship with the Lord, so i wouldn't go tell some, hey, you don't have to take the long way, just beleve. that wouldn't be very sensitive to where they are at.
Matthew 18:7-9
7 Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!
8 “If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire.
jesus is stating here, if something is causing you to sin, get rid of it! if you feel that you will be easily tempted in certain things, then don't mess with it. its o.k. and WISE to avoid it. this is called being WATCHFUL.
i remember this story told by a friend. this man had a heart for the prostitutes, so he went ALONE thinking he can minister to them ALONE. instead not realizing how strong the temptations and how weak his flesh, he fell into temptation and end up marrying a prostitute, thus divorcing his wife. it might of been better if he went with a women or a group, to help him minister to the prostitues and keep him accountable, helping him be watchful.
1 Corinthians 10:12-13 (New King James Version)
New King James Version (NKJV)
12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
this is saying theres stuff that our flesh will be weak towards, but God will provide away out, like taking another highway to avoid the highway thats full of lust, or like, He may tell you to flee, if you are weak in certain areas . everbodys got their weakness, but God says He will provide a way out for us during temptations.
we are also told to guard our hearts. this is not saying your weak if a person choose to not go a certain way to avoid temptation or to throw away our t.v. knowing that we can be easily tempted in watching something if our relationship with God becomes idle sometimes.
