Diversionary Tactics Today's Three-minute Bible Study Print, Study and Apply Title: Diversionary Tactics----------------------------------- Date: 12/7/2001 Keyword: "diversion" Welcome to eXXit, the web site designed to help you stand strong in the face of sexual temptation. Passage: Nehemiah 6:1-3* 1. Now it came about when it was reported to Sanballat, Tobiah, to Geshem the Arab, and to the rest of our enemies that I had rebuilt the wall, and that no breach remained in it, although at that time I had not set up the doors in the gates, 2. that Sanballat and Geshem sent a message to me, saying, "Come, let us meet together at Chepherim in the plain of Ono." But they were planning to harm me. 3. So I sent messengers to them, saying, "I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?" Questions Nehemiah had come to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls around Jerusalem. He encountered many obstacles along the way. The passage above describes one of those times when he might have been derailed from his main task.   1. What tactic did Sanballat, Tobiah and Geshem use to sidetrack Nehemiah from the wall rebuilding project?   2. How did Nehemiah resist the temptation to this tactic?   Practical help In fifth century B.C. Jerusalem, the main project facing the people of God was building the walls around the city! For nearly two months, the city was a beehive of activity as everybody labored in this all important work. Attending a high level meeting with foreign dignitaries didn’t fit with the mission before Nehemiah — so he said "No!" What is your mission? If you are Christian, you are tasked with following Christ, fulfilling the Great Commission (make disciples) and loving others. (If you are not a Christian but want to find out how to become one, click here.) Now, let me ask you: Where does porn "fit" with that mission? It doesn’t! An invitation to view porn is simply a diversion the enemy throws your way to keep you from being what God intends that you become and from doing what God intends for you to do. Nehemiah said "No!" to enemies who tried to divert his attention from what God wanted him to do. Be a Nehemiah! Say "No" to the tempting diversion of porn. eXXit homepage Index of three-minute studies Copyright 2001 by eXXit *"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission."