“As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.” (Prov. 26:11)
The desires that we who have truly been born-again have are no less than many of the desires that the wicked have, not all, but many of those sins they contemplate at length, and even act upon, have entered into our thoughts. We have not been transformed my friends, we are being transformed, and there is more to our sanctification than just being disgusted with those sinful thoughts, for even the wicked experience that same emotion.
As the witnessing of that dog returning to his vomit because of hunger, if looked upon in that manner, can offer us much insight into the reason for its actions.
“For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.” (Prov. 24:16)
The transforming of our minds from one that we have been accustomed to for so long is dependent on the length of time that we have spent in this world before the Almighty called us to Himself, how long we spent at the trough of the world. But young or old, the enticements will never abate, and it is the sincere heart that will see and understand that our transformation takes time, trials and tests.
You cannot hide from this world of sin anymore than you can hide from your own thoughts, and the wise man of God will not attempt to. Instead, he will recognize them for what they are, and not flee from them, but stand firmly against them.
“The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.” (Prov. 21:12)
No soldier of Christ is to run from any battle, for he knows full well that his enemy will not just let him go unscathed, but will chase him, will hunt him down and continue to force his will upon him. Standing in the midst of the storm is the only means to our growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord, it is the only way to be sanctified, and further used for His glory.
The verse does not say to flee from the devil, it says, “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7) And when understood in context, then 1st Corinthians 10:13 becomes a truth that we can apply in our lives.
“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.”
As well as 2nd Corinthians 2:11.
“Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.”
You know full well within yourself what temptations will draw you away from the path you are to remain upon, and if you do not take the way out offered, you will return to that vomit.
This, my friends, is how we flee and stand at the same time.
Do not think that our adversary does not study those as well who have set their face like a flint, specifically designing temptations just for that man, for his delight is to see him returning to that which that man finds disgusting. And it happens to all of us who have been crucified with Christ more than once in this life, whether in deed or thoughts.
“Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,” (Jude 1:24)
For the rest of your life here you will be tempted, and the closer the Most High draws you to Himself, the more disgusting those temptations will become to you, yet know this truth, our flesh will not abate its attacks upon us any less than our adversary will.
“But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” (1st Cor. 9:27)
Not to the loss of our salvation, but to the loss of our usefulness to the Kingdom of the Most High God. The same death that fell upon Adam falls upon those who refuse the prompting of the Holy Spirit, who will not heed 1st Peter 1:16, “Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”
Strive to not be found at your own vomit when the Lord calls you home.
