TODAY IN THE WORD
Health officials in an affluent American suburb were recently alarmed to discover that sexually transmitted diseases among teenagers in their community were rising at an alarming rate. When a full-scale investigation was launched, it was discovered that two factors played into the crisis. First, the teenagers themselves had little or no knowledge of how to resist sexual temptation. Second, their parents were, for the most part, uninvolved in their children’s moral development. What was true in that one American suburb is probably true nationwide. The question persists, as to what we can do to escape the moral and spiritual corruption that seems so prevalent.

During the month of May we are going to discover that God has provided for every Christian a way of escape. And the centerpiece of our study will be the seven virtues that the apostle Peter describes for us in 2 Peter 1:5-7. The context that precedes those seven virtues is very significant. Peter states that we are without excuse. Christians cannot say, “I couldn’t help myself and just wasn’t strong enough to resist the temptation.” Neither can we respond the way a well-known comedian often did by saying, “The devil made me do it.”

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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Perhaps there has been some particular temptation that you have been facing in recent days, the kind of challenge that almost makes you believe you cannot escape. If so, read today’s text one more time. Then thank God that He has given you everything you need to live the godly life that He requires. You might also want to write these two verses out on a three-by-five card and refer to it throughout the day. Remember that God doesn’t want you to make excuses for falling into sin. He wants us to be His virtuous people.

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