In 2008, a step changed my world.
It
was three months before we moved back to the U.S., and I was running down
the steps in a beautiful old building in downtown Budapest.(1)
But when I met that step, I slipped, fell, and ended up on the landing with one sprained and one broken ankle.
Since that time, I've never run down a staircase.
I've learned to give thought to my steps.
Proverbs 14:15
says we should have the same kind of prudence when it comes to trusting
the words of man: "The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps."
In
my 40+ years as a Christian, I've run down a few spiritually slippery
steps I should have avoided. I trusted the "staircase" because the
philosophies were taught by popular Christian authors, speakers, and
teachers.
I'm
so glad that God's Word lifted me out of the pit where those stairs led
and "set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand"
(Psalm 40:2).
That's why the Bible warns us to be prudent, and that means that we check all teachings against the perfect Word of God.
💙 Beyond 1-minute for those who want more 💙
My "Myth Buster" series is based on many of the common errors Christians believe, some of which I once believed myself.
To read about another truth I learned from breaking my ankle, see Spiritual & Physical Atrophy. The picture to the right shows the way I went up and down the 20+ steps to our Hungarian flat for six weeks after breaking my ankle.
A few other verses about our "steps" in life:
Psalm 37:23: "The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him."
Proverbs 4:26: "Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways."
Hebrews 12:13: "Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong."
What a great "object" lesson!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great analogy. I,too, have slipped on a few spiritual stairs. What a good reminder this is to know what the Word says and let it be our guide!
ReplyDeleteYes.
DeleteYes indeed, good analogy. I had a similar experience fracturing my ankle, and then re-fracturing it on a step slippery with ice. Like you, since that time, my steps are taken with thought. Especially in slippery circumstances. As a teenager, I put myself in "slippery" circumstances many times, oh how I'd like to change some of those steps. Thankfully, I had/have God's Grace, He has forgiven me and I have a good rapport with teen girls. I do what I can to keep them from "slippery" steps.
ReplyDeleteYes, we all have steps for which we need God's forgiveness and grace!
DeleteAnd those of us who've fallen know the importance of being careful.
Gail
Appreciable analysis
DeleteLove this and what a great reminder!
ReplyDeleteGreat Story that give a good lesson to those who read this story (blog).
ReplyDelete