"Just Run Away! (Proverbs 27:12)

A few years ago, I undertook martial arts training in Kempo Karate. I learned body and mental conditioning. I committed dozens of defensive maneuvers to muscle memory and learned to spar. After several years, I was feeling more confident about my ability to defend myself if confronted with a hostile situation. Thus I was a bit surprised when the Sensei gave these sage words of advice.

“After you have defended yourself, be smart, just run away! You don’t want to remain in a fight any longer than you need to be!”

It reminded me of the equally sage words of Mr. Miyagi in the movie, Karate Kid, “Rule number one, karate for defense only. Rule number two, first learn rule number one!”

The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.
Proverbs 27:12 (ESV)

God commands us to avoid dangerous situations and flee. Certainly there are times when conflict is unavoidable, but we should not make a bad situation worse and suffer for it. God has provided us with all the weapons of defense we need to protect ourselves against Satan. We stand our ground and use God’s Word, the Sword of the Spirit, to defend. And the best part is our victory has already been secured by Jesus Christ. All we need to do is confess and repent of our sins and accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

Flee danger and seek the stronghold of Jesus Christ.

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.