Dare To Say “No"
“My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not” (Prov. 1:10).
The Preacher is here addressing those who have been brought up by God-fearing parents in childhood days, but now, in early adulthood, must take increasing responsibility for their own personal choices. At this critical period of life, new temptations would come with special force.
The enticements of the world, the flesh and the devil will come. “Consent thou not” is the Divine counsel. Eve consented. Moses refused (Heb. 11:24). The inward act of yielding precedes the outward compliance. So the calm but firm decision for Christ – which is the secret of withstanding evil – is an internal condition of soul, as well as an outward course of action. It is the will that says “yes” or “no,” and the course we take will flow from that decision. Christ within, as the source of heart rest and satisfaction, is the secret of a true decision in the hour of temptation.
The Preacher is here addressing those who have been brought up by God-fearing parents in childhood days, but now, in early adulthood, must take increasing responsibility for their own personal choices. At this critical period of life, new temptations would come with special force.
The enticements of the world, the flesh and the devil will come. “Consent thou not” is the Divine counsel. Eve consented. Moses refused (Heb. 11:24). The inward act of yielding precedes the outward compliance. So the calm but firm decision for Christ – which is the secret of withstanding evil – is an internal condition of soul, as well as an outward course of action. It is the will that says “yes” or “no,” and the course we take will flow from that decision. Christ within, as the source of heart rest and satisfaction, is the secret of a true decision in the hour of temptation.
– selected
from Wholesome Words, Jan/Feb. 2003
from Wholesome Words, Jan/Feb. 2003
