Don’t Go There!

Reading for Today: Proverb Chapter 4

Gold Nugget
Verse 14: “Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of evil.”

Commentary
Misery loves company and evil people need associates and victims.  A friend reminded me recently of our ability to enable these people without even intending to. It only takes one link to break a chain. Some chains are for bonding while others are for bondage. It is constructive for people to bind together in unity and strength, but often chains are used for bondage and need to be broken. In 1980 the United States and 59 other nations refused to send their Olympic teams to the Moscow Olympics as a protest against the Soviet invasion and occupation of Afghanistan. Those with evil and destructive intentions are fueled by tolerance, association or willing victims. Disassociation with those of evil intent can often be the most effective form of interference. The effective act of boycotting can be the wisest form of protecting yourself and others. You can curtail these destructive acts by boycotting with disassociation, refusal to be their victim or refusing to be tolerant of those that would victimize others. Often times we can just decide to “Not Go There”. Whether we refuse to participate with someone harmful or refuse to be harmed by them, we can lose our edge by continuing in the situation, discussion or association. If I don’t respond to their e-mails, text messages, phone calls or encounters they cannot victimize me. However; if I continue to respond to their attacks it will only encourage them. I will not provide fuel for those who wish to harm me or others. There is a present celebrity that has a very low approval rating, but extremely high TV rating. She is known by TV producers as a “ratings booster”. Even though the polls prove that America doesn't even like her, we can't seem to disassociate with her. As long as she is a “ratings booster”, we will have to keep on seeing her on magazine covers and TV programs. If we really want to put a stop to bad behavior, we need to learn how to break free from harmful people and situations.

Prayer
Lord, help me to see people that are destructive in my life and give me the boldness to defend others by boycotting these harmful people. I know there is a fine line on when is the right time to separate myself from certain people, but I know you can show me when and who. Amen


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