Abstinence is not full proof of deliverance. Just because you’ve kept away from something for a while, that is not full proof of freedom. It could mean you have just lacked opportunities. Avoidant & Evasive Christianity is weakening Believers from living in the real world.

I know the Bible teaches to avoid evil (1 Thess. 5:22-24; James 4:7), but it also teaches if we fall it’s because of internal weakness (Prov. 24:10). It is not always the greatness of the temptation, but is often the weakness of our resolve in the midst of it (1 Cor. 10:13).

Living a life of ‘sin avoidance’ causes you to be ill prepared for the days when the suggestions of Satan are abundant. Temptation reveals the strength of your devotion (Heb. 4:15). Tempt in Greek is ‘peirazó’, which means ‘to make proof of’. What does temptation say about you?

I believe God placed the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the Garden of Eden, to test the strength of Adam and Eve’s choice of Him. God desires to be preferred in the midst of many options, that is true worship. We must master focusing on Him amidst distractions.

This is not to discourage separation from ungodly influences, things and people (1 Cor. 15:33). This is to inspire true consecration. God must be worshipped in the face of evil. Do not be discouraged when the “options” increase, let your “selection” increase. Choose the Father.