The problem I’m going to write about, I am intimately familiar with. I have practiced it in many ways, in some cases undetected for years. Additionally, I have noted it in the Church around me. This is why I seek to warn you.
There is a way that seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of death.
~ Proverbs 14:12
Generally, the problem is to identify something wrong, then, instead of correcting it, to replace that thing with another wrong thing. One reason this procedure can go undetected is because the new wrong might not be overtly sinful.
On the surface, I’m a very good person. Somewhat deeper, I’m urgent to maintain that appearance. A bit below that, I’ve struggled for years with sins mostly invisible. And deep down, at the core of who I am, I hate sin and want desperately to be free, to be honoring God on every level.
Flee also youthful lusts;
but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those
who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
~ 2 Timothy 2:22
Therefore submit to God.
Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
~ James 4:7
There is a biblical admonition to flee temptation. Rather carelessly, I used that verse to justify my own plan of attack against my besetting sins. If I could just avoid tempting situations (like an alcoholic staying out of bars), then I wouldn’t sin and on many levels, I would have victory.
However, God’s goal is not just to keep us from committing sins. He wants us to know Him, and in knowing Him to become like Him. Romans has always thrown my perception of sin deeper by asserting, “Whatever is not of faith is sin.” The proper response to sin is the same as the response to temptation, to grace, to glorious revelation, to instruction: submission to God. I needed to come before my God and to give over to Him my desires, my thoughts, my problem with repeated sin. But though I had begged God for deliverance, all was on my terms: “Please make my scheme successful in avoiding temptation.”
Avoiding bars is one thing, though I’m not convinced it is always the right thing. To make my point, what if the sin you were dealing with was gluttony, not drunkenness? Would you avoid eating? If you struggled with anger, would you avoid people? If you did either of those things, you would be sinning by omission. Again, God has more purpose for us than keeping us from sin (and His enemies have more purpose against us than getting us to sin). What if, by our methods of avoiding sin, we’re abandoning God’s purposes for us?
One common response, in me and in others, is legalism. We note a problem, and make a list of rules to circumvent it. This is not my essay on the errors of legalism, so let me restrict myself to saying that such rules keep us from seeking the heart, help, and purposes of God – and the rules can in themselves be harmful to their keepers, breakers and to those involved in their lives.
So what does it mean to flee temptation? Maybe there is some truth to avoiding bars, and a glutton might want to be wary of buffets even if he’s continuing to frequent grocery stores. When temptation comes (not just potentially tempting situations), take it seriously. Resist, rebuke, pray, flee, confess to a fellow believer and get them to help you. I think it is also important whither we flee: that God wants us to seek His refuge, and trust Him to provide the help we need.
But my eyes are upon You, O GOD the Lord;
In You I take refuge;
Do not leave my soul destitute.
~ Psalm 141:8
God allows temptation for a reason. I was choosing to miss out on what God wanted to teach me through these situations. I needed to ask Him how to address my tendencies to sin, and follow that plan, trusting Him to be faithful and effective. I was running, sheltering myself (and my ego) from difficulty and failure. But instead I could have been learning self-control, dependence, and power over my spiritual enemies. I could have been available for God’s work in the situations He didn’t want me to avoid.
To God be all glory,
Lisa of Longbourn
Lisa of Longbourn 