ByEdd Sterchi
To start off this article, I was going to make up a joke about social distancing, but this was as close as I could get! (Give it some thought, it will come to you.)
Now that we are starting to get more and more out into society, we are asked to pay special attention to the social distancing measures that are in place. This is to prevent viral contraction of COVID-19 and becoming infected. The recommended distance to stay away from others is 6 feet. This is common sense.
There is another “social distancing” that God wants us to do. He wants us to social (and private) distance from sin. God knows that if we get too close to sin’s fire, we will get burned. Satan wants us to sin and turn our backs on God. That’s why he tempts us so – for he knows that temptation can lead to sin and sin to spiritual death (James 1:14-15). That’s why God wants us to practice social distancing from sin – so that we do not become spiritually infected.
The Bible is replete in warning us to practice social distancing from sin:
“Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of evil. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn away from it and pass on.” (Pro. 4:14-15).
“For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God…Therefore do not be partakers with them.” (Eph. 5:5-7) “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness” (Eph. 5:11).
“Do not…share in other people’s sins” (1 Tim. 5:22) “Flee also youthful lusts” (2 Tim. 2:22)
“Abstain from every form of evil.” (1 Thess. 5:22)