James 4:17 (NIV)
Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.
Wednesday morning, it rained… hard!
According to the experts, a low pressure system stalled right over the top of us and it just kept raining.
A series of flash flood watches were issued and these were quickly updated to flash flood warnings.
Low water crossings became dangerous.
A news crew had been dispatched to one crossing in particular that is always one of the
first to become problematic.
By the time they had arrived, public safety officials had already set up road blocks to protect drivers.
While the television reporter was delivering the news that this crossing had already been blocked off, his cameraman turned in order to capture the image of a car simply driving around the roadblock as if it were not there and then proceeded down the road to the crossing about a half mile away.
Needless to say, the reporter reminded viewers that this an illegal act that carries a fine. He also reminded viewers that making a choice like this shows a lack of sound judgment.
It reminded me of an incident I experienced just a few months ago.
It was on a Saturday and I went to the supermarket to do my weekly shopping.
I walked inside and grabbed a cart.
Suddenly, the fire alarm sounded and warning lights began to flash in every department.
As I put my cart back, I was surprised to see almost everyone continuing their shopping.
By their expressions, I could tell that they considered the combination of the alarm and
flashing lights annoying but not enough for them to stop shopping and head for the exits.
I shook my head in disbelief and went outside.
After a few minutes, the alarm went silent so I went back inside.
I noticed the lights had also quit flashing.
I identified an employee by his name tag and asked if everything was okay.
“False alarm,” he said. “I don’t know what triggered it but everything is okay now.”
The shoppers who ignored these warning signs were lucky… this time!
I thanked him, grabbed a cart and proceeded to get my own shopping done.
That’s the way it is with sin. Often times when we are tempted to sin, we know in our
hearts that the path on which we are about to embark is the wrong path.
Sometimes, the mere thought of what we are about to do or say brings on that feeling of guilt well before the act is committed or the words are spoken.
According to 1 Corinthians 10:13...
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so you can stand up under it.
If the Holy Spirit puts up a road block to keep you on the right path, will you choose to simply go around it?
If He causes the alarm of guilt to go off in your mind, will you choose to simply act as if there were no warning at all?
Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
Look for me at http://faithfulfeet.co.nr/ on Friday, June 18, 2010.
Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!
I’ll be back here on Friday, June 25, 2010.
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