Doorways

‘There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.’  Proverbs 14:12 NKJV

Imagine a long, dark hallway with a series of doors on either side. Written on each one is the name of an addiction such as alcohol, tobacco, drugs, pornography, gambling, etc. Your teenager must walk down that hallway on their journey to adulthood, and their temptation to open those doors will be great.

They can hear the beat of the music and the raucous laughter of their friends echoing from inside. The pressure to join them can be enormous. And it’s very difficult to convince a fun-loving adolescent that they should stay in the dark hallway, which seems so boring and embarrassing.

Unfortunately for a certain percentage of individuals who open one or more of these doors, a tragedy begins to unfold. If a person is susceptible – and there’s no way to know in advance – he or she only has to crack the door an inch or two and a monster will run out and grab them. And some will be held in its grip for life.

If you talk to an addict about his or her addiction you’ll learn that it probably began casually – with no hint that life was about to take a tragic turn. It all started with opening a door.

Solomon bottom-lines it in two Scriptures:

1) ‘My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent. If they say, “Come with us” … do not walk in the way with them, keep your foot from their path’ (Proverbs 1:10-11, 15 NKJV).

2) ‘There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.’

Bible in a Year: Josh 7-9; John 1:29-51