WHEN YOU COME TO A FORK IN THE ROAD, WHICH PATH DO YOU CHOOSE?

BIBLE PASSAGE:
In the paths of the wicked are snares and pitfalls,
but those who would preserve their life stay far from them. 
(Proverbs 22:5)

MEDITATION:
Which way do you lean?
Are you attracted to wickedness, or righteousness?
We are born with a tendency to lean toward sin, but when we surrender 
our life to the Lord, we are given the capability to lean the other way.

Of course that means we have to make conscious choices 
to avoid not only sin, but the temptations of sin as well.
One of the major choices we have to make 
is to avoid the paths that lead to temptation.

For all of us, some of paths are the same, but each of us have specific 
paths that we know we need to avoid, if we want to pursue righteousness.
For instance, we know that alcohol numbs our sense of guilt 
and makes traveling a path that leads to temptation much easier. 
When we are numbed to guilt and arrive at the door of temptation, we can 
walk through it much easier, since our internal alarms have been disabled.
So naturally, we need to avoid the intake of alcohol, 
or other mind altering drugs.

However, individually we have other paths that we have to avoid as well.
What is a hazardous path for one may not be a danger for someone else.
Satan knows which paths to lure each of us toward 
because he knows where we are weak and susceptible.

For instance, if we are prone to gossip, 
then we need to distance ourselves from others who gossip.
If we have uncontrollable urges to take things that don’t belong to us,
then we need to avoid being alone around things that are not ours.
If lust is a dangerous path for us, then we need to guard against 
being alone with someone of the opposite sex.

We could add many more examples, but the point is, 
we need to be aware of our weaknesses and take preemptive actions 
to avoid situations that make us vulnerable.
Another point to remember is, Satan wants us to believe that because we are 
weak in certain areas we are not worthy to have a relationship with the Lord.

He wants to fill our minds with any untruths that will weaken us 
and make it easier to lure us down the paths we need to avoid.
The truth is, none of us are worthy, but God loves us 
and He provided a way for us to appear righteous in His sight.

ACTION:
Have you admitted your weaknesses to yourself and made preparations 
in advance to avoid the paths which are dangerous specifically for you?
The scriptures tell us that when we are on wicked paths, 
we will experience the problems (snares and pitfalls) that are included.

Have you noticed that many of the murders are committed by those involved 
with wicked activities (drugs, gambling, thievery, infidelity, etc.).
However, when we make the choice ‘stay far’ from the paths that lead to 
temptation (and ultimately sin), we are told that we will ‘preserve our life’.

The scriptures could be referring to our eternal life after death, 
but they could also mean that we can enjoy a life with less problems now. 
We are promised peace, joy and hope 
when we surrender to the Lord and commit to a life of striving to obey Him 
rather than ourselves, or the influence of Satan.

Pray,
“Heaven Father, thank You for warning me to avoid the paths 
of destruction and to choose instead to follow the paths that will 
preserve my life. Help me to identify my areas of weaknesses 
and to preplan my strategies for avoiding the things that make me 
vulnerable. Help me to numb my sinful thoughts which exploit my 
weaknesses, and to energize the righteous thoughts which keep me 
focused on the things that are pleasing to You.”

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