The driveway at the place where I work is flanked by two deep ditches, one on each side. We have stakes marking the edge of the ditches for people coming and going from the driveway to navigate. A few days ago, though, as I backed into my parking spot, I noticed tire marks in the snow, heading right for the snow-filled ditch. The tracks stopped as close as they could without the car going into the ditch. Today, a vehicle did back into the ditch! As I pondered these incidents, I thought about their spiritual application.

Just as the snow filling the ditch would deceive a driver into thinking that it was not very deep but would not prevent the car from falling into it, so our enemy, Satan, can be so deceptive in luring us closer to the edge of sinful choices, and often, we fall in.

How close to the edge we can find ourselves as we slide away from the reading of our Bible! In many areas of our lives, the Bible gives us clear warnings that we are near the edge, and shows us how to keep on the straight and narrow.

2 Timothy 3:16 – All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. (NLT)

How close to the edge we can find ourselves with what we fill our pastimes with, such as what we are watching on television or reading in books and magazines!

Psalm 119:37 – Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word. (NIV)

How close to the edge we can find ourselves when we fill our lives with busyness!

Titus 2:5 – To be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. (NIV)

How close to the edge we can find ourselves when we are not content with all that we have and we choose to seek more or a better way!

Hebrews 13:5 – Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." (NIV)

Just as the person who was backing a car up may not have been aware of how close they were to the edge, we need to be more careful.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for Your Word that helps us to navigate through life. We also thank You for the people in our lives who point out to us when we are getting too close to the edge. Help us in our weakness to draw close to You and to seek wise counsel. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

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About the author:

Julie Bowles <julieanni@rogers.com>
Barrie, Ontario, Canada
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