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Author: Woodrow
Kroll
Source: Lessons on Living from Job
Scripture: Job
1:1

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Job 1:1

There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was
blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil.

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Someone once suggested that when many Christians flee from evil, they leave a
forwarding address. They may not want to be immersed in sin, but they do want to
stay in touch.

Job, on the other hand, was blameless and upright. How could he maintain such
a spotless reputation? Because he did more than fear God; he also shunned evil.
The word translated "shunned" can mean "to rebel" or "to revolt." You could say
that Job found sin revolting. It was certainly not because he couldn’t afford
all the pleasures that lead to sin; Job was one of the wealthiest men of his
time (Job 1:3). Nor did he live in some backwater village. The land of Uz was
highly populated and had several kings or "sheiks" (Jer. 25:20). But Job had an
attitude toward sin that left it no chance to get a toehold in his life. This
man didn’t simply avoid sin; he ran from it. And he gave no opportunity for it
to contact him later.

It’s not enough for Christians to avoid the sins they find attractive but
stay in the vicinity where they can be found. Under those circumstances, you can
be sure that you and your sin ultimately will get back together again. The only
wise solution for those who want to live blameless and upright lives is to
separate themselves far enough from enticing sin that no contact can take
place.

If you’ve put a sin behind you, put everything associated with that sin
behind you as well. If it’s pornography, don’t simply store your magazines out
in the garage. Destroy them. If it’s alcohol, don’t leave a bottle in the house.
Pour it down the drain. If it’s gossip, cut your "grapevine." Don’t attend those
functions that degenerate into gossip sessions. You can do more than just refuse
to participate; you can put some space between you and your temptation.

Flee sin and burn the bridges behind you.

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