4 Do not let my heart incline to any evil, to busy myself with wicked deeds in company with men who work iniquity, and let me not eat their delicacies! (Psalm 141:4)
The heart’s natural inclination is towards evil. Make no mistake. One look at the surrounding world will reinforce this. Even as believers, we must never forget our natural inclination to stray. Remember, this does not necessarily happen all at once but with subtle compromises. Sin is a slow fade away from what we hold dear. The anecdote to this is to busy yourself with the higher things in life. Parenting, expressing love, and humble service. There is also something to be said for those we surround ourselves with. As youths, we are told to watch who we let influence us, but when we grow older often we loosen these restrictions. Unfortunately, I have seen many adults ruined because of the influence of immature peers – men who work iniquity. As I age, I realize that the greatest predictor of my future attitudes and actions are found in the current attitudes and actions of my circle of friends.
But it doesn’t end there. What influences us is often the media and entertainment we consume. Much of it is sensational, fear inducing, drama factories. And yes, I know many wrongly take this to extremes, but when the peaceful quite of our Lord is broken with the bullhorn of media, we must disengage to find our center again. In this election cycle especially.
Today, remember what you are saved from. Fear is now a choice not an inevitability. Remember that without Jesus’ thumbprints on this day, you are doomed. A day without him is a day set for failure and moral compromise. But a day with him, is ripe with grace and endless possibilities.
Matt simon blog 