Interstate travel is a very popular route for people who don’t want to travel the backroads and be slowed down by small towns and stop lights. However, it can be tricky to watch the signs that enable you to take the correct exit so you will actually get to your destination, rather than “timbuktu”.
There have been times that I’ve been driving on the interstate, then realized, with a sinking heart and a backward point of my finger that the exit we just passed was the one I was supposed to have taken. After a long speech from Nigel, (the voice on my GPS) who repeats over and over that I need to “make a U-turn”, I finally find myself turned around and headed to the place I should have been much earlier. It’s a frustrating situation, to say the least!
But you know, there is another experience of missing to take an exit that’s not only frustrating, it’s downright dangerous! Proverbs 16:;17 says,
The highway of the upright is to depart from evil.
Here’s my paraphrase of that verse –
If you’re traveling life’s highway and you encounter evil, take the next exit!
Evil is usually in the form of temptation first. This verse is a reminder that a godly person won’t keep cruising along with evil lurking – they get away from it! They know that they must get off the interstate of temptation and make a fast exit!
One way to do that is to simply get away from whatever is tempting you. Be like Joseph who ran out of the room where Potiphar’s wife was tempting him. He ran so fast he didn’t even bother gathering his coat!
Another way to do that is to set up hedges of protection so that you will avoid the temptation that could be lurking. Think ahead of time of what you must avoid. For instance:
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I will never be alone with a man, other than my husband. This will include being alone in a room, a car, office, or home.
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If I send an email, Facebook message or text to a man, I will include my husband’s address as well so that it is not a private message.
The list could go on, of course; those are just a couple of examples. The reason we would set up hedges like these is to avoid temptation. You may say, “Oh, that’s silly! It’s only so-and-so! I would never fall for a sin like that!” That’s when we are most at danger. I Corinthians 10:12 – Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
After these previous precautions are taken, we must be on the alert for evil that could present itself when we’re unprepared. On the recent broadcasts of Revive our Hearts this week, the guest, Julie Peterson, said that a male friend of hers gave her a two-second hug that sent off an explosion of emotions inside her. Rather than fleeing, she allowed the feelings to continue, allowed the contact with this man to increase, and soon found herself in an adulterous relationship. If she would have “taken the next exit” and removed herself from him and the temptation, she wouldn’t have the regrets she has today. We must be on the alert, then distance ourselves, if we are to remain on the highway of the upright.
Have you set up hedges that will protect you from potentially sinful situations? Will you be wise and flee temptation when it is at your door? Don’t be foolish and think you can play with sin. Instead, remain upright and take the next exit!
With love,
RefreshHer 
Excellent example of setting our affections on those things above and being on guard against the evils of this world. Thanks for the reminder that we are in a warfare and we must guard our testimonies and our hearts. Appreciate you. Praying God will bless you today with a refreshed heart.
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And you, too, my friend.
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