Friday, September 6, 2019
“I Walk the Line”
“All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any” (1 Corinthians 6:12 NKJV).
One night Johnny Cash was so worn out from traveling that he didn’t know where he’d find the strength to perform. Then he was offered a pill to help him get through. After a moment’s hesitation, Cash took the pill and swallowed it. That night he gave a whale of a show, which became the first of many.
It’s not unlike when Eve offered Adam the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden. It seemed like a good idea at the time. But the results of that fateful bite reverberated throughout humanity for time immemorial. Sin entered the human race.
The pills Cash loved initially played a part in keeping him away from God because of guilt. That's because once you taste that forbidden fruit, it’s hard, if not impossible, to turn back the clock.
It wasn’t long before a couple of pills weren’t enough for Cash. It’s the nature of the beast. Over the years, he steadily increased his amphetamine use, and it nearly destroyed his career and all of his relationships.
Not long after Cash met June Carter, he told her (despite being married already), “Someday I’m going to marry you.”
Less than a year after Cash recorded “I Walk the Line” as a ringing anthem of faithfulness to his wife, it became just another song.
Scripture Reading
All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. (1 Corinthians 6:12 NKJV)
Have you struggled with addiction of any type? How has it impacted your life?
Drink water from your own cistern, and running water from your own well. Should your fountains be dispersed abroad, streams of water in the streets? Let them be only your own, and not for strangers with you. Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice with the wife of your youth. As a loving deer and a graceful doe, let her breasts satisfy you at all times; and always be enraptured with her love. For why should you, my son, be enraptured by an immoral woman, and be embraced in the arms of a seductress? (Proverbs 5:15–20 NKJV)
If you are married, what kinds of safeguards can you put in place to remain faithful to your spouse and enjoy security in your marriage?
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. (1 Corinthians 10:13 NKJV)
Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me. (Psalm 50:15 NKJV)
How can we avoid sinning when we are tempted?
Copyright © 2019 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved.
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Johnny Cash’s life is loaded with examples of God’s extreme mercy, overwhelming love, and unexpected grace. It demonstrates that no matter how many times we regress, relapse, or revert to old sins, God stands ready to welcome back His sons and daughters as a loving heavenly Father. Read about Johnny’s life in my new book!
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