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2 Samuel 13:1-2, 14-15 (NLT)
.. Absalom had a beautiful sister named Tamar. And Amnon, her half brother, fell desperately in love with her. Amnon became so obsessed with Tamar that he became ill. She was a virgin, and Amnon thought he could never have her. *But Amnon wouldn't listen to her, and since he was stronger than she was, he raped her. Then suddenly Amnon's love turned to hate, and he hated her even more than he had loved her. "Get out of here!" he snarled at her.
The story in our text above is a sad example of why we should never allow ourselves to be deceived by either our
feelings, our friends or by anything or anyone into doing things that are evil. Amnon did not only have an evil desire, He also yielded to the evil advice that his friend Jonadab gave him on how he could lure his own sister into his house so he could violate her, 2Sam.13:3-5. At that moment, Amnon did not consider the negative effects that his actions were going to have, even on his own life, 2Sam.13:22&28. The manner in which his obsession immediately turned to hate after raping his sister is also alarming.
Do you realize that in the same way, Potiphar's wife may also have turned against Joseph if she had gotten what she wanted from him (Gen.39:7)? Child of God, do not consent when sinners entice you, Prov.1:10. Do not walk in the counsel of the ungodly, Psa.1:1. Do not allow the devil or anyone or any pressure to deceive you into admiring and considering what God says you should hate and abstain from (Gen.3:1-6); no matter how pleasant or promising it may appear and no matter how charming and convincing people are about it. Do not let your guard down. Be sober and vigilant, 1Pet.5:8. Trust God and keep following His truth and wisdom. Yield to God's voice and to His new nature that is in you. Suffering for doing right is better than enjoying for doing wrong, Heb.11:25. Love righteousness and hate iniquity. You are crucified to the world and the world is crucified to you, Gal.6:14.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I receive Your grace to never allow anything or anyone to deceive me into doing what is displeasing to You.
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