Have you ever been tempted to go back to your old ways?
Seeing your old friends.
Visiting your former school.
Looking at an old boyfriend/girlfriend’s Facebook page.
Going to a website that you know you shouldn’t be in.
Making illegal shortcuts to close a deal to meet a quota.
We’ve all been there.
In Genesis 24, Abraham told his servant to look for a wife for his son Isaac. And these were his instructions:
– Go to my hometown.
– Find a wife for my son.
– Take her back here.
The servant had a question: “Perhaps the woman may not be willing to follow me to this land. Must I then take your son back to the land from which you came?” (Genesis 24:5)
At this point, Abraham strongly commands his servant.
“See to it that you do not take my son back there.” (Genesis 24:4)
“If the woman is not willing to follow you, then you will be free from this oath of mine; only you must not take my son back there.” (Genesis 24:8)
Abraham had to make it clear. He cannot take his son back there.
I’ve always wondered why this was so.
I realized why. If the servant brings Isaac back to the land where they came from, there is a strong chance that if Isaac meets his future bride, either she or her family would encourage him to stay behind.
Thus, what God called Abraham out of, his descendants will end up living in.
Here’s the lesson:
Set up strong guard rails today so that it will protect you from the possible traps in the future.
Some practical tips:
1. Identify what are the strong temptations to go back to your old life.
2. Determine what kind of guard rails you need to set up to prevent you from going back to your old life.
3. Trust God for victory every single moment temptations come.
4. Talk to friends you can be accountable to.
5. Testify about God’s goodness everytime He gives you victory.
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for saving us and making us Your own. We were lost, without direction and without purpose yet You thought about us. As David puts it, “What is man that you are mindful of him and care for him?” Thank You for giving us new life by the regeneration of our hearts through faith in Christ alone. But there are times when the flesh battles with the spirit nature. The temptation to go back to my old ways is quite strong. Thank You that You have given me Your Spirit so I may be able to say no to sin and say yes to You. Pour out Your grace every single day so that I may live to please You every single moment of my life. IN JESUS’ NAME. AMEN.
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