CARTWHEELING FROM TEMPTATION
Cartwheeling away from cops to avoid arrest isn’t exactly a brilliant idea. In July of 2020, Orlando police responded to a call involving forty-year-old Gianfranco Fernandez who was blocking traffic by performing amateur gymnastic stunts. When confronted by police, rather than running, he attempted to escape by cartwheeling away from the cops. As you might guess, he quickly learned that turning cartwheels isn’t the most effective way to make a quick getaway. Fernandez was charged with battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest. (https://www.fox13news.com/news/cartwheeling-orlando-man-attempts-to-evade-arrest)
There are many circumstances in life that require us to run, and times when we need to simply stand still. But I’m hard pressed to think of a single situation where cartwheeling would ever be called for.
The Bible specifically addresses those times when we need to run; especially to flee from temptation. “Flee from sexual immorality; (1 Corinthians 6:18); “Flee from idolatry” (1 Corinthians 10:14); and “flee youthful lusts” (2 Timothy 2:22) are a few examples. Don’t flirt with it, don’t stick around and see what happens, don’t even cartwheel away. Flee from temptation. Run, as if your life depended on it. Because it just might.
Joseph understood this. When tempted by Potiphar’s wife, he literally ran out of his clothes (Genesis 39:10-12). David, on the other hand, failed to flee from temptation, even when God stuck several stop signs right in his face. Instead he barreled through them, committed adultery with Uriah’s wife, and regretted it the rest of his life (2 Samuel 11 & 12). Joseph ran from temptation. David lingered with temptation. One left his garment behind; the other left a trail of consequences.
This isn’t rocket science. It’s simple, but not easy. When temptation comes, don't negotiate. Don’t stroll. Don’t cartwheel. Run.
PONDER:
In what situations have you found yourself where you tried to manage temptation, rather than flee from it?
How do the examples of Joseph and David help you?
PURSUE: For a deeper dive, read and meditate on 2 Samuel 11 & 12.
Dear Father, please prompt me through your Holy Spirit to flee from temptation.
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