Evil people try to drag me into sin, but I am firmly anchored to your instructions. Psalm 119.61, NLT

When I was six years old I had a friend who lived next door. As I recall he was about two years older than I, but we got along well and enjoyed doing a lot of the same things. Riding bicycles, climbing trees, camping out in the backyard kept us adequately occupied.

One day, my friend told me about a spectacular event that was happening at Gresham Park. It was too wonderful for my imagination and so when he invited me to join him, I agreed without a second thought. We hopped on our bikes and pedaled through the city, across two major intersections, the 9/10ths of a mile down to the park. The city fair was everything I hoped for, except it cost money. We had none.

We made the best of our adventure for a few hours and then decided it may be good to go back home. Actually, I think I was hungry and the stomach rules!  To our bikes we went like a couple of superheros called out on a rescue mission. We were making lightning speed until I jumped the curb on 11th street. My father was waiting in his car at the stop sign and I could tell by the look on his face as I glanced through the windshield that my life would soon be over. I jumped into hyper-drive from that point on and beat him the three remaining blocks to the house.

Why the rush? Because I neglected to ask or even inform my parents of my excursion to the city center.

I will spare the details on how close I came to meeting Jesus that day.  I lacked an anchor. My friend, who lived in a household unrestrained by simple things like his parents knowing his whereabouts, easily led me where I did not belong. I wish I could say I resisted, but there was not any “dragging” me into that day’s sin. I went willingly.

We live in world that pulls hard on the hearts of those who belong to Jesus and who are supposed to be following him. If we lack a mind full of his instructions and a heart firmly connected to the direction of the Holy Spirit we will succumb as easily as a thoughtless six-year-old to the suggestions of the Evil One whispering wickedness into our ears.