"How do you deal with temptation?" he asked."You resist it."
"Yes," he said. "But how?"
I didn't answer. I didn't know what he was looking for.
"The Book of Proverbs reveals how to deal with the temptation of sexual sin, the seduction of an adulteress. It is written: 'Keep your way far from her. And do not come near to the door of her house.' You see, the best way to deal with temptation is to not deal with it."
"I don't understand."
"If you keep yourself away from the temptation, there's less chance you'll be dealing with it. But the Scripture goes farther than that. Listen again. It says, 'Keep your way far from her. And do not come near to the door of her house.' This is an even greater key. It reveals that it's not enough to stay away from temptation-you must make it your aim to stay away from the door of the temptation. Think about it; which is more alluring, a person trying to seduce you or a door?"
"The person, of course."
"Which is more tempting, a substance that would addict you or a door?"
"The substance."
"And which is more likely to harm you or make you fear, a dangerous situation or a door?"
"The dangerous situation, of course."
"Exactly. So instead of dealing with the person, or the substance, or the situation of danger, deal with the door. Deal with the door and you'll avoid the temptation."
"And the door is what exactly?"
"The door is not the temptation, nor the sin. It's that which would lead you to the temptation and the sin. That's the key. Make it your aim not only to avoid the temptation. Locate the door to the temptation and then stay as far away from it as possible. For it is the wise who, instead of dealing with the temptation and sin, deal with doors."
Today, make it your aim not just to avoid temptation, but to avoid even the door that leads to it. Focus on the door, and stay from it.
Proverbs 5:3-8 For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil, but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps follow the path to Sheol; she does not ponder the path of life; her ways wander, and she does not know it. And now, O sons, listen to me, and do not depart from the words of my mouth. Keep your way far from her, and do not go near the door of her house.
1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
