Opportunity Knocks, and Kills

(Proverbs 7:15 KJV)  Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.

I believe there is a Shakespeare quote that has something to do with the tide in the affairs of men.  The point he makes is that when opportunity knocks you should grab it because it may not come again.  There is another quote about all that glitters not being gold.  The two ideas need to be bundled.  Just because we seem to have a natural opportunity does not mean that it is best for us to grab hold and go with it.

The context here is the opportunity for sexual sin.  It is amazing how many would claim that they could not help themselves and they were helpless pawns in the hands of fate.  That may work when you are explaining it to your friends but it won’t work when you are looking into the face of a holy God.  Keep in mind that you are surrounded by people who would relish the chance to drag you down.  God always provides us with a way out.

(1 Corinthians 10:13 KJV)  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

It is interesting to note that just after Paul gives this bit of hope in the next verse he gets even more practical.

(1 Corinthians 10:14 KJV)  Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.

So?  Temptation will come.  Situations will arise.  Pressure will mount.  Flee.  That is a way out but it probably isn’t the direction you were going before.