教練大喊：「防守，四！」我高中時開始學劍術，教練會根據他的進攻方式，喊出正確的防守位置。當教練伸出他的劍朝我刺來時，為了還擊，我必須仔細聆聽，並且立刻作出反應。

這種聆聽後立即反應的態度，讓我聯想起聖經提醒我們，面對性方面的誘惑時要迅速逃避。保羅就曾寫信給那些受到廟妓引誘的信徒，要他們「逃避淫行」（哥林多前書6章18節）。有時，面對挑戰時，我們需要「站立得穩」（加拉太書5章1節；以弗所書6章11節） 。但面對性的誘惑時，聖經很實際地給了我們最好的防守方式：「逃跑！」

立即的行動讓我們沒有妥協的機會，畢竟，一失足可能成千古恨。一個放縱的念頭、看一下不應看的網頁，已婚還遊戲人間，每一步都會引導我們誤入歧途，拉開我們與上帝之間的距離。

當我們逃避誘惑，上帝就會為我們開一條出路。不論我們曾在何處、曾做了什麼，耶穌在十字架上為我們的罪受死，賜給我們希望、寬恕和新的開始。當我們因軟弱而奔向耶穌，祂會讓我們倚靠祂的力量，得著釋放和自由。

“Parry four!”

When I began fencing in high school, my coach would shout the correct defensive position (“parry”) against the move he was making. When he extended his weapon and lunged, to repel the attack I had to listen and respond immediately.

That active listening brings to mind the prompt obedience Scripture calls for in the area of sexual temptation. In 1 Corinthians 6:18 Paul writes to believers tempted to solicit pagan temple prostitutes, telling them to “flee from sexual immorality.” Sometimes we are to “stand firm” in challenging circumstances (Galatians 5:1; Ephesians 6:11), but here the Bible practically shouts our best defense: “Run away!”

Immediate action guards against compromise. Small compromises can lead to devastating defeats. An unrestrained thought, a glance in the wrong place on the Internet, a flirting friendship when you’re already married—each are steps that take us where we shouldn’t go and put distance between us and God.

When we flee temptation, God also provides a place to run. Through Jesus’s death on the cross for our sins, He offers us hope, forgiveness, and a new beginning—no matter where we’ve been or what we’ve done. When we run to Jesus in our weakness, He sets us free to live in His strength.