“Now then, my sons, listen to me; do not turn aside from what I say.”

In this section of Proverbs, Solomon is cautioning his readers not only to avoid sin but also to stay away from it to the extent of keeping their journey far from it. Sin is always working to get close. To tempt us, Satan knows that if he can keep temptation right in front of us, we will eventually slip. At least, that’s his plan. Solomon recognizes that power as well, so he encourages us to look squarely into the face of our Heavenly Father. In other words, he wants us so focused on God that there is no space where the evil one can slip in. I saw a movie recently—not a great one—but in it, one of the soldiers commented to a new recruit that their goal was to stand so close together that no light could be seen between them. It is this degree of closeness that keeps us not only safe but empowered by our position with our King. One reason that scripture tells us to “remain in Christ” is that there is no place for sin when we are there. The outcome of that closeness is that we cannot help but hear Him, and we cannot turn aside from Him. That is where the power for a productive life comes from. Today, stay close to Him. #BeTheEdge

““I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 NIV