How Much Can You Endure?

Do not be misled:  Bad company corrupts good character.

1 Corinthians 15:33

As Christians, we have a tough calling.

We are to reach out to others but not let their sin corrupt us. That’s easier said than done.

I saw this firsthand with my two boys this week. They had friends over who are not believers and live in a household that operates much differently than ours.

My husband and I talked with our boys before the visit about how they should behave and show these friends Jesus. Our boys are typically well-behaved and follow our rules most of the time.

We have a treadmill in our playroom. The treadmill is off limits to our boys unless they are supervised and it’s being used for exercise. They know this. They don’t get on the treadmill without permission.

Also, the treadmill has a safety mechanism that won’t allow it to be turned on – unless you know exactly what to do (which is not intuitive). 

I can’t tell you how many times I heard the treadmill going. Each time, I went back and explained to the boys our rules. The cycle didn’t end until my 11-year-old flipped over and landed on the pile of Legos and toy trucks near the treadmill. Ouch!

We learned two lessons here:

1) Our boys didn’t hold up well under peer pressure. We have work to do in this area – especially with our oldest headed to middle school.

2) Pain was the only thing that stopped the disobedience. I instructed. They listened but did not heed the warnings. 

The same is often true with us as adults. We may cave under pressure and continue down the slimy slope until we hit pain. I don’t know about you, but I’m much more likely to go along with the crowd if I’m not in the Word daily.

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Dear Lord, Help me to meditate on your instructions and obey them. Show me where I’m compromising. Help me to teach my boys to obey you and stand strong. Thank you for your mercy.

Stacy