What is black ice? These are ice patches that simply look like the rest of the wet pavement.
If the patch is broad enough and long enough for all the wheels of a vehicle to all of a sudden be on the ice…lookout! No vehicle is secure from sliding when it hits a patch of ice.
Walking onto black ice is also dangerous. A person’s feet have been striding along on the wet pavement, all of a sudden you hit the ice and your foot wants to slide forward or sideways, keeping your balance is hard because now your other foot must come forward onto the ice. So now you have two feet attempting to return balance and stability.
In our Christian walk we can also be moving along growing with God and all of a sudden we hit a patch of black ice. This ice is a little different than the physical ice. It is black because it is sin and ice because it is slick and cold to our spiritual fire, cooling us down. It might be a little thing, you know a little white lie, a vulgar comment or story, or perhaps thinking about God’s creation instead of shutting it down. There is an old adage that states, sin is sin – no matter who it’s in. This small little thing opens a door to the enemy and the next little thing becomes easier for him to trip us up.
As Peter wrote,
“So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy.” 1 Peter 1:14-15 NLT
In walking out our lives we must be determined to not slip on the ice and go back into our old ways. It is a decision we make constantly. The choice is our’s, slip and fall or bring our walk back into balance with concentration on holiness.
To enable this shutdown mentality we must use the sword of the Spirt by memorizing passages and meditating on them, practicing our response to situations beforehand. We must also employ the shield of faith, trusting God to show us a way out…
“The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT
This exit strategy only works though if we are in tune with God, striving to hear His voice and growing more like him.
Let us then walk confidently in the Spirit and in the Word of God allowing the Word to lead us on a secure and stable path.
“I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” Psalms 119:11 NLT
Memorize and meditate on His Word and then our path will be clear…
“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” Psalms 119:105 NLT
Be blessed!
Thoughts 