Stay Away!

Read Proverbs 5

Stay away from [an immoral woman]! Don’t go near the door of her house!

Proverbs 5:8

“DANGER! Bridge out ahead!” This proverb screams out like a yellow warning sign along the side of the road. And that’s what it is supposed to be—a two-part warning about temptation.

The first part of the proverb gives us directions about sin that seeks us. It tells us to stay away! Just look at Joseph in Genesis 39. He ran away when Potiphar’s wife propositioned him to have an affair with her. If you find yourself in a similar situation, don’t try to be brave. Just get out of there!

The second part shows us what to do when we are tempted to seek out sin. Don’t go near it! Translated into today’s society, this verse might suggest driving a different route home from work to avoid passing an adult bookstore.

You can’t control the actions of other people, but you can ask God to help you control your own behavior.

A WORD FOR TODAY

Wisdom knows when to stay away.

Lord, give me the strength to run away from sin. Help me to stay on your path day by day.