One of the greatest tests a leader can face is temptation. So what is one of the most underrated secrets to dealing with temptation?
This past Sunday, the 13-19 year old girls in my Sunday School class and I were discussing the different temptations that we face in life. The more I pondered the conversation afterward, the more I realized that the same way you deal with temptation at thirteen….is often the same way you will deal with temptation later in life.
Temptation is something that plagues every person, no matter his walk in life. Granted, temptations may vary by age or social status, but the very root lies in the sin nature that plagues us all.
Leaders, especially, must be wary of the dangers associated with giving into temptation, large or small. For one thing, when a leader falls, he often doesn’t fall by himself. Our world is full of cautionary tales of whole businesses or ministries that have gone under, thanks to the poor choices made by its leader.
As my girls and I were talking about how we can practically avoid temptation, we hit on what I consider to be one of the most underrated secrets to dealing with temptation.
Just leave.
Yes, it is as simple as that. But when you think about it, those two little words (and the accompanying action) can save you a boatload of trouble. After all, you really can’t be in two places at one time.
Tempted to make poor decisions about alcohol? Stay out of the bar. Tempted to eat one more donut? Get out of the bakery. Tempted to skim just a little bit of the profits off your P/L statement for the quarter? Close the books, leave the office, and go hire a third-party accountant to handle your bookkeeping.
Underrated, yes. Biblical, absolutely.
“Flee also youthful lusts . . .” 2 Timothy 2:22
Plus, the wonderful thing about fleeing is that fleeing means you are headed to follow something else instead.
So what should we follow? The verse in 2 Timothy 2 continues . . .
” . . . but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
Righteousness. Faith. Charity. Peace. And the power of good accountability.
Leaving — it’s so simple, yet highly underrated. Just take off and follow the things you know to be right.
Your business will thank you. Your ministry will thank you. Your family will thank you.
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