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Devotions from Gospel Chapel Ministries HOME SERMONS SERMON NOTES
BACKSLIDING DOWN THE SLIPPERY SLOPE
How does a person ponder the path of his feet? Solomon tells us to remove our foot from evil. We are to look at the footsteps of Christ and the principles of Scripture. Then all our actions are to be governed by those principles that are pleasing to the Lord.
The eye is one of Satan's most convenient doors for access into an unguarded heart. When our heart is not on guard, Satan has an easy access. Solomon said in PRO 4:23-27, "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil." 1JO 2:16 says, "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world." If something is not of Christ, it is of the world.
Walking by the sight of the eyes is the cause of most failures and falls ever since the beginning of time. The lustful eye brings forth a covetous heart, which produces wicked actions. Do you understand why Solomon told us to "Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee." When our eyes are taken off the Lord Jesus Christ, we are bound to slip and fall.
Why did Satan choose a serpent to beguile man? A serpent has the power of fascination. I personally watched a serpent swallow a toad alive. As long as a serpent’s eyes are fixed on the eyes of its victim, the victim is powerless to move. The serpent needs to merely move close enough to swallow his victim alive. The victim may shake and shiver, but it will not move. The power of fascination comes through the eye. The only way to break that power is for something to come between and break the focus. When the line of sight is broken, the intended victim can flee.
We must understand this principle about the power of sin. As long as our eyes are fixed upon sin, the power of fascination leaves us powerless. Looking unto the blood of Christ by faith is the only way to break the line of sight so the eyes are no longer fixed on that sin. Jesus said in JOH 12:32, "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." Jesus is likened to the brazen serpent that Moses lifted up before the people, Cf. JOH 3:14. Jesus also has a drawing power. It is the reason our eyes must be fixed upon Him.
Walking by the sight of our eyes began in GEN 3:6, "And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, [Her heart was drawn out in covetousness, and she acted upon it.] she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat." After Eve's heart had been deceived, Satan used her eye to cause her to act upon the covetous desires that he had planted in her heart. Do you see that what the eyes saw caused the wrong actions? Isn't this what happened to Lot? He lifted up his eyes and beheld; then he chose and fell.
Was not this the same method Satan used to destroy Achan? In JOS 7:21 we read, "When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it." The Lord had commanded them not to take any of the spoils of Jericho, but when Achan saw the silver and gold, he coveted them. Through the eyes, Satan entered his heart; covetousness set in, and actions followed. Do you see what happens when eyes are taken off the Lord Jesus Christ?
Oh how we see the truth of what we read in 1-SA 16:7b, "...for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart." Do you see how important it is for us to guard our hearts? We must analyze the motives of our actions. Is it for God's honor? Is it according to the principles of God's Word? Does it comply with the Word of God? Our eyes must constantly be on the Lord Jesus Christ, "and his name is called The Word of God," REV 19:13. Amen.
The good man’s steps are led aright,
His way is pleasing in God’s sight,
Established it shall stand;
He shall not perish though he fall.
The mighty Lord who rules over all
Upholds him with His hand.Depart from evil, do thou well,
And evermore securely dwell;
Jehovah loves the right.
His faithfulness His saints have proved,
Forever they shall stand unmoved,
But sinners God will smite.The righteous, through His favoring hand,
Shall yet inherit all the land
And dwell therein for aye;
He talks of wisdom and of right,
In God’s pure law is his delight,
His steps go not astray.
Our sermons and devotions are a ministry of Gospel Chapel located in Conrad, Montana. We also have a daily devotion. See also our sermon notes. We pray this devotion has been a blessing to those who read it. Thank you.