“Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.” (2 Timothy 2:22 NLT)

Several years ago, there was a story in the news about a man who had a tree fall on his leg. With no one around to come to his rescue, he took out a pocketknife and proceeded to amputate his leg. Then he made his way up the road until someone picked him up and raced him to help. Amazingly, this man who had a severed leg still had enough presence of mind to tell the driver of the vehicle not to go too fast. He said, “I didn’t come this far to die on the road. Take it easy.”

I remember reading that story and thinking, “He did what? How could this guy cut off his leg? I would have laid under the tree and just waited for help.” But the doctors who treated him later said that if he hadn’t taken such a drastic measure, he would have died. He did it to save his life.

Sometimes we must take radical, drastic steps to remove ourselves from whatever it is that is hurting us spiritually. That may mean immediate change. It may mean physically getting up and saying, “I’m out of here.”

One of God’s greatest gifts to us is the Holy Spirit, who dwells inside every believer. Jesus said the Holy Spirit “will convict the world of its sin” (John 16:8 NLT). The Holy Spirit warns us when we’re in situations that threaten our spiritual well-being. What we do with His warnings is up to us. Ignoring His prompts is like ignoring a fire alarm or a beeping carbon monoxide detector or the check engine light in your car.

You might be at that party. Watching that movie. In that relationship. In that group of people. In that setting. Wherever it is, you realize you shouldn’t be there. The Holy Spirit is convicting you. He is saying, “What are you doing here?” Don’t be foolish. Just get up and go. You can make your explanations later, if necessary. The important thing is to remove yourself from the situation immediately.

The apostle Paul wrote, “Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11 NLT). The best place to stand firm is a distance away from the devil’s traps and temptations. In other words, maintain the high ground and stay out of the trenches.

First Corinthians 10:13 says, “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure” (NLT). No matter what you’re facing, God has an escape plan, a way out. Do the wise thing and take it.

Reflection question: What are some scenarios, situations, and places that you need to run from?

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