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"This society in which we live is radically changing. What previous generations saw as evil is now embraced as being good. It is a dangerous and slippery slope upon which we stand when we reject what Solomon called the beginning of wisdom
- the fear of God."
- Ray Comfort
Ray Comfort is an Evangelist from New Zealand. You may recognize him from his "Way of the Master" evangelism teachings with former "Growing Pains" TV star Kirk Cameron. They are known for the method of making people aware of their sinful state in order to see that they have need of salvation that only comes through a relationship
with Jesus Christ. They lead a person down a series of questions about external activities, inward motives and secret lusts: "Have you ever stolen anything?" "Have you ever lied?" "Have you ever looked upon a woman to lust after her?" After just a few minutes of questioning, the interviewee realizes that sin pays the wages of death (Rom. 6:23), that everyone has sinned (Rom. 3:23), and that the smallest deviation from God's standard of holiness is a slippery slope down which you begin to fall, and from which without His grace and mercy through identifying with Christ as your Savior, you will not recover. A SLIPPERY SLOPE is an idea or course of action which will lead to something unacceptable, wrong or disastrous.
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In Psalm 73, Asaph the psalmist reveals that his envy of wicked people who seem to be untouchable has almost caused his downfall. "But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; My steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the boastful, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked." (vs. 2-3) He 'gets
into his feelings' and rattles off a series of perceptions on how much better the lives of the unrighteous are: they're not in trouble or plagued like other men, pride is their necklace and violence covers them like a garment, their eyes bulge with abundance, they have more than the heart could wish, they speak wickedly concerning oppression, they set their mouth against the Heavens and their tongue walks through the earth. (vs. 4-9, paraphrase) He says the LORD's people ask, "How does God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High?" (vs. 11) Asaph is struggling. He wonders if he's been living righteously in vain. His life is not like these evil people's...he's under God's chastening all the time and can't get away with anything. This causes him great pain, vexation and distress. (vs 13-16) "Until I went into the sanctuary of God. Then I understood their end." (vs. 17)
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"Surely, You have set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction. Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors. As a dream when one awakes, So, LORD, when You awake, You shall despise their image." (vs. 18-20) In God's presence the psalmist realizes that the road the wicked have chosen is a slippery slope that will ultimately lead to disastrous consequences. God will see to it. Asaph is grieved and repentant for his short-sightedness and re-affirms his allegiance to God and His Divine guidance. (vs. 21-24) He closes with these faith-filled and focused thoughts on God's wisdom and Sovereignty:
25 Whom have I in heaven but You?
And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.
26 My flesh and my heart fail;
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
27 For indeed, those who are far from You shall perish;
You have destroyed all those who desert You for harlotry.
28 But it is good for me to draw near to God;
I have put my trust in the Lord God,
That I may declare all Your works.
You have destroyed all those who desert You for harlotry.
28 But it is good for me to draw near to God;
I have put my trust in the Lord God,
That I may declare all Your works.
Be encouraged! no matter what it looks like, God's ultimately in control!
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