Slippery Slopes

I think it is safe to say that most everyone, at sometime in their life, has slipped and perhaps fallen, because of slippery slopes.  This is quite common in higher elevations where snow and ice are more prevalent than lower elevations.  

The probability of injuries is higher when dealing with slippery slopes of any kind.  Statistics claim that falls are the number one cause for injuries in senior citizens.

In the winter months when my wife and I visit our son and daughter-in-law in another city, just north of us, I am always attentive to slippery roads and icy sidewalks.  Their home is located in a mountainous region of our state rather than at sea level where we live.

Black ice is always a concern when driving the windy roads to their place, and caution is exercised with regard to proper tires or chains, and traction devices that attach easily to the bottoms of our shoes.  These precautions help prevent slipping on wet and icy surfaces.

There was a time when slippery slopes were the objectives of having fun.  When I was a kid, I rode on large pieces of cardboard down grassy hillsides.  It was fun, but dangerous at times.  I remember at the bottom of this one particular hill was a fairly large drop-off that I avoided at all cost; stopping my descent in plenty of time to bail before reaching the point of no return.  

Had I plummeted over the edge, it would have spelled Trouble with a capital T.  I was naïve, invincible, and having fun.  This is what boys and girls do.

I shudder to think what could have happened, because of my foolhardiness.  I was not concerned with the consequences that were awaiting me had I gone over the edge.  I trusted my ability to stop the momentum when I needed to.  I was having fun and it was worth the risk. 

This lack of common sense reminds me of the slippery slopes of temptation that often have disastrous consequences at the bottom of the fall.  People think they are able to stop in time and not sin through their own strength and volition, but too often they fail as a result of stupidity.

When Satan tempts a person to sin and they find themselves in areas where slipping will most likely occur, it is good to know that God always provides a way out of the darkness of temptation; an easier, less strenuous path that leads away from the slippery slopes of their undoing.

I used the word ‘undoing’, because that is exactly what sin does to a person that fails to exit temptation.  Satan is in the business of trying to undo all of the good that God is doing in their life—happiness; peace of mind; joy in living.

The devil is a hard taskmaster and quite deceptive; making people think they are having fun and that it is okay to play on slippery slopes, when all the time he is leading them into rough terrain; closer to the edge of no return.

The manner in which Satan leads a person deeper and deeper into uncharted, unfamiliar surrounds; attempting to get them lost and turned around in their walk of faith, brings back memories of when I was a youngster going on outings with my dad, especially when deer season rolled around.  I am reminded of the areas that we hiked through in search of a buck (male deer).

Having taken and passed the state required course on gun safety made it possible for me to hunt a variety of diverse game.  I think deer hunting was my favorite as was my dads.  Determination was his middle name and hunting was his game.  Dad took me places in the mountains where few people hunted; off the beaten track as it were, where the big bucks hung out.

The hiking boots that he bought for me made it less difficult to trek through the dense undergrowth of water-soaked ravines and climb slippery inclines.  I can only imagine the lack of traction that common tennis shoes would have failed to provide.

I was always conscious of each step that I took, while remembering the importance of solid, safe footing when carrying a rifle; as was taught in the gun safety course.

When the going got tough and Dad saw fatigue beginning to take its toll on me, he opted to take an easier, less strenuous path of travel having flatter terrain; not as steep and slippery from the morning dew and moss that had built up on the moist ground under the trees.

When the sun was setting and dusk was upon us, I remember him saying, “Let’s head back to camp.”  Dad had a keen sense of direction and never got us lost.  In that I was looking for a deer and not paying attention to landmarks, I thought we were heading deeper into unfamiliar areas, while all the time we were just outside of camp. 

I was sure that Dad was going in the wrong direction, but he knew the way out of the darkness.  I hollered, “Camp is this way!” as I pointed in the opposite direction.  Dad smiled and said, “Follow me son.”  I did what he said, because I trusted him, and yes, camp was there as he knew it would be—the place where I could rest from my travels.  I was completely turned around.

Looking back at the ventures we had reminds me of our Father in heaven and how He watches over His children when the going gets tough and tiredness of the journey begins to set in, which can weaken their spiritual walk with Him.  He always provides a more easily traveled path where the slippery slopes of temptation can be avoided.

God provides adequate footwear, which is part of the Whole Armor of God, as we continue our journey on the straight and narrow path of righteousness.  You can read about the amazing protection that this armor provides in (Ephesians 6:10-18).

God knows when we are in a dilemma and says, “Follow me.”  When we trust Him, He leads us to a place of rest, called heaven.  If a person fails to keep their eyes on the landmarks of early teachings about God, because they are too busy looking for games that take their mind off of the essential things that show direction, they can get turned around and head down the wrong path. 

We must stay alert with our eyes opened wide; taking note of important landmarks so that we do not get lost in the devil’s rough, unforgiving terrain.

(1 Peter 5:8), “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”

Our adversary wants to injure and devour us physically and spiritually if possible.  He wants us to fail and become turned around in our belief in God Almighty.  Satan tempts us with things that appear to be fun and lighthearted, but they produce a demoralizing result at the end of the journey, called hell.

(Proverbs 16:25), “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.”  

God gave His Son to die on the cross for our sins.  When we call out to God for forgiveness, He forgives our transgressions and cleanses us from all unrighteousness.  Jesus is the way, the truth and the life; in Him only, we find eternal life.  When we follow the truths of God’s Word—the Holy Bible—our path is illuminated, which provides the necessary light to see where to place our next step.

(Psalm 119:105), “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

The slippery slopes of temptation will not affect those that are looking for God’s provision of escape and then taking it.  Guarding against playing in the devil’s wetland of deception is the sure way to keep our feet firmly planted on a non-slippery surface, which is Jesus Christ—the solid, unmovable rock.

(1 Corinthians 10:13), “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

Written by,

Papa Boyd