What steps ensure we "do not turn back to folly"? Hearing and Heeding His Voice • “I will listen to what God the LORD will say; for He will speak peace to His people, His saints—but let them not return to folly.” (Psalm 85:8) • Folly fades when the heart actively listens. Set aside daily, unhurried time to read and meditate on Scripture. • Respond immediately to conviction; delayed obedience breeds compromise (James 1:22–25). Remembering the High Cost of Folly • “The backslider in heart will have his fill of his own ways.” (Proverbs 14:14) • Rehearse past lessons: where did sin once take you? What did it cost? • Keep a journal of God’s past deliverances; gratitude stiff-arms relapse (Psalm 103:2). Staying Anchored in His Word • “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105) • Adopt a systematic reading plan; avoid random, sporadic intake. • Memorize verses addressing your specific temptations (Psalm 119:11). Walking in Daily Repentance and Faith • “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us…” (1 John 1:9) • Keep short accounts; confess as soon as the Spirit exposes sin. • Replace wrong thinking with promises of grace (Romans 12:2). Keeping Honest Fellowship • “But exhort one another daily… so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” (Hebrews 3:13) • Join a Bible-saturated small group; give trusted believers permission to ask hard questions. • Serve others; self-forgetfulness smothers self-indulgence (Galatians 5:13). Guarding the Gateways of Heart and Mind • “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (Proverbs 4:23) • Monitor media, conversations, and environments that revive old desires. • Replace idle moments with worship music, Scripture memory, or edifying podcasts. Pursuing Spirit-Led Obedience • “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16) • Begin each day surrendering agenda to the Spirit’s control. • Look for specific, tangible acts of obedience; action cements conviction. Cultivating Gratitude and Worship • “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in every circumstance.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) • Keep a running list of blessings; vocalize thanks in real time. • Regular corporate worship realigns affections toward the Lord. Finishing with Eternal Perspective • “Let us run with endurance the race set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus.” (Hebrews 12:1-2) • Meditate on future reward and accountability (2 Corinthians 5:10). • View every decision in light of that coming day; folly loses allure when eternity is in view. |
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