Harmful Hesitation

By Carin LeRoy –

We all know the story about the frog in the pot of water. If a frog is placed in hot water, he will jump out. But if you put him in a pot of cold water and gently turn on the heat, he will adjust to the heat until it boils him to death. As he sits comfortably in his surroundings, he never realizes that it will ultimately destroy him. I don’t know if that story is true, but it can apply to life’s circumstances. As Christians we can become hardened to sin, comfortable in our surroundings, or influenced in ways that are harmful before we even recognize it.

In Genesis 19 we read about Lot who lived in Sodom. When two angels went to meet with Lot to warn him to leave, they found him sitting at the city gate. In Biblical times, the entrance to the city served several purposes—to conduct business and legal transactions, to proclaim public announcements and to address community issues. Lot was sitting at the gate, most likely, because he had become an important person in the city, possibly a judge. Therefore, he had high ranking as a leader in the city.

When God chose to destroy the city because of its flagrant sinfulness, Lot hesitated to leave (Genesis 19:16). The angels grabbed him by the hand and took him, his wife and two daughters and led them out of the city to save their lives. He faltered leaving even when warned that judgment was coming. Perhaps family members or friends were left behind, but I also wonder if he had become attached to his position of influence and so hardened to sin around him that those influenced his indecision. It was time for him to leave or he would be destroyed, too.

Sometimes God tells us, “It’s time to go. This is no longer a good situation for you.” When we hear that, do we listen or do we hesitate like Lot? Do you rationalize saying, “I can still be a witness,” or “I like my important position”? Maybe it’s, “I’m doing good things here and trying to be an influence”. But if God has told us to go and we choose to hesitate, will we suffer even greater consequences?

God sees situations that are harmful for us and will send us warnings if we are open to His leading. Don’t get stuck in a bad place if God has clearly shown you to remove yourself. Trust Him with the next step.

PRAYER: Thank you, Lord, that you see and know everything. Thank You that You see harmful situations in my life. Help me to listen to Your voice when you warn me. Give me a heart to obey You without hesitation.

“So be careful to do what the Lord your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left. Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess” (Deuteronomy 5:33 NIV).