Monday, August 6, 2012

August 6, 2012 - No DOPE-ing!


As I take in the Olympic news (and all the other sports news) I continue to be amazed at how many athletes simply make dumb choices. I am especially amazed because these top-tier athletes have obviously demonstrated incredible discipline in training yet can mess up over the silliest of things. Be it illegal substances, disapproved social networking, or simply being in the wrong crowd, these athletes fail to take their discipline to all areas of life. (I think any of these silly choices should be called “DOPE-ing”!)

Yet isn’t that true in every walk of life. Success tends to lend itself to “letdowns” where the mental focus wanes. Maybe this is a result of simply relaxing too much. Maybe it is a result of being successful making one feel bulletproof. Yet it only takes one bad decision to ruin a lot of good in one’s life.

The Bible is very clear that we have an enemy roaming around and that we need to walk circumspectly or aware of what is around us. In essence we need to understand that every moment matters.

One simple thing that can be done is to avoid putting ourselves in situations that are questionable. I often counsel with believers (especially young ones) that want to either exploit their idea of what “liberty” is; or they openly admit to hanging out in places or with people where wrong is going on and boldly state, “Yeah, but I’m not gonna do any of that.”

Well God has a different take on that. He says that being around the bad will influence you, not the other way around. You don’t believe me check this out: 1 Corinthians 15: 33 Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” 34 Awake to righteousness, and do not sin;…

And the Proverbs give us great warnings/advice:

Proverbs 4: 14 Do not enter the path of the wicked,
And do not walk in the way of evil.
15 Avoid it, do not travel on it;
Turn away from it and pass on.

Here is a cool paraphrase from the Message of Proverbs 4

10-15 Dear friend, take my advice; 
   it will add years to your life.
I'm writing out clear directions to Wisdom Way, 
   I'm drawing a map to Righteous Road.
I don't want you ending up in blind alleys, 
   or wasting time making wrong turns.
Hold tight to good advice; don't relax your grip. 
   Guard it well—your life is at stake!
Don't take Wicked Bypass; 
   don't so much as set foot on that road.
Stay clear of it; give it a wide berth. 
   Make a detour and be on your way. 

In other words – Run from the potential of wrong! We are to take a totally different path than others. We should seek righteousness! No DOPE-ing!

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