December 11 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Genesis 39:7–12

Devotional

In contending with certain sins there is no mode of victory except running away. The ancients wrote much of basilisks, legendary poisonous serpents or dragons whose eyes fascinated their victims and rendered them easy victims. Just so, the mere gaze of wickedness puts us in solemn danger.

Whoever would be safe from acts of evil must hurry away from occasions of it. We must make a covenant with our eyes not even to look at the source of temptation, for such sins only need a spark to begin with and in an instant a blaze follows. Who would needlessly go into the leper's prison and sleep amidst its horrible corruption? Only one who wants to catch leprosy himself. If a ship’s captain knew how to avoid a storm, he would do anything rather than run the risk of weathering it. Cautious sailors have no desire to see how close they can sail to the sandbar, or how often they can bump into reefs without springing a leak. Their aim is to keep as nearly as they can in the middle of a safe channel.

This very day I may be exposed to great peril. Let me be as wise as a serpent to keep out of it and avoid it. The wings of a dove may be more useful to me today than the jaws of a lion. It’s true that I may be an apparent loser by declining evil company, but it would be better for me to leave my cloak than lose my character. It’s not necessary for me to be rich, but it is imperative for me to be pure. No ties of friendship, no chains of beauty, no flashings of talent, no darts of ridicule must turn me from the wise resolve to flee from sin. I am to resist the devil and he will flee from me, but I must flee the lusts of the flesh or they will surely overcome me.

O God of holiness, preserve your Josephs that Madam Bubble (a character in The Pilgrim's Progress who represents the world’s temptations) may not bewitch them with her vile suggestions. Grant that the horrible trinity of the world, the flesh, and the devil may never overcome us!

[July 25]

Extracted from C. H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening (public domain), language modernized by Larry E. Wilson.