stock-illustration-37542226-mad-dog.1By Linda Veath

Since I moved into my subdivision, Mr. Nellie — my 65-pound terrier-mix mutt — spends much of his time announcing loudly and ferociously that he is “King of the Subdivision.” His “subjects” are squirrels, rabbits, cats, beagles, basset hounds, fluffy “froo-froo” dogs, boxers, and a variety of other small mixed mutts. He barks and growls whenever he sees them, especially when we are walking. With one exception.

Mr. Nellie does not bark at Buddy — a 150-pound lab mastiff mix.

Even if Buddy is barking furiously at him, in spite of quivering muscles and a glint in his eye, Mr. Nellie will ignore Buddy completely. Obviously Mr. Nellie is no dummy. He knows when to flee temptation and danger.

Oh, that we would do the same!

And we can. God has promised us that He will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear. That He will provide for us a way out of the temptation. (1 Corinthians 10:12-13) But He also knows that there are some temptations so dangerous that our way out is to FLEE from them.

Flee fornication …. 1 Corinthians 6:18 KJV

Wherefore my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry …. 1 Corinthians 10:14 KJV

For the love of money is the root of all evil … But thou, O man of God, flee these things … 1 Timothy 6:10-11 KJV

Flee also youthful lusts: but follow

[pursue] righteousness, faith, charity, peace with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:22 KJV

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Knowing when to flee these things is an important part of our spiritual battles. What is also important is having something — or Someone — to flee to. 2 Timothy 2:22 helps us with that. First flee. Then follow (pursue): Righteousness, faith, charity, peace. All of which lead us directly to our Lord who protects us from those dangerous temptations, allowing us to rest safely and securely in Him.

Mr. Nellie knows this in his doggie way of thinking. The question is “Do we really want my dog to be smarter than we are?” I didn’t think so.