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It’s Slippery Out Here! Bible in a Year : Psalms 140–142; 1 Corinthians 14:1–20 Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil. Psalm 141:4 Psalm 141 Years ago, when I was learning to ski, I followed my Josh down what appeared to be a gentle slope. With my eyes on him I failed to notice he turned down the steepest hill on the mountain, and I found myself careening down the slope, completely out of control. I cratered, of course. Psalm 141 shows how we can easily find ourselves slipping down sin’s slope. Prayer is one of the ways we stay alert to those slopes: “Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil” (v. 4) is a plea that echoes the Lord’s Prayer almost exactly: “Lead [me] not into temptation, but deliver [me] from the evil one” (Matthew 6:13). In His goodness, God hears and answers this prayer. And then I find in this psalm another agent of grace: a faithful friend. “Let a righteous man strike me—that is a kindness; let him rebuke me—that is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it” (Psalm 141:5). Temptations are subtle. We’re not always aware that we’re going wrong. A true friend can be objective. “Faithful are the wounds of a friend” (Proverbs 27:6 nkjv). It’s hard to accept rebuke, but if we see the wounding as a “kindness” it can become an anointing that puts us back on the path of obedience. May we be open to truth from a trusted friend and rely on God through prayer. Reflect & Pray What slippery slopes do you gravitate toward? In what ways can you set a guard over your heart? Father, please keep my feet from straying. Help me to listen to You and good friends. 
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When our pastor had a sermon that stepped on a lot of our toes, he would often end it with "Now the same Lord that steps on our toes, is able and willing to heal them." In other words, along with the rebuke comes guidance.... all with love. Be a prism, spreading God's light and love, not a mirror reflecting the world's hatred.
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I was at a 12 Step meeting last week and we were talking about Spiritual experiences. The only way to defeat alcoholism is with God. We were talking about character defects. I mentioned to the group that when we become aware of them, that means God is working on them. When I first started on this path, I thought God was going to turn me into a demure Church lady ten steps behind her husband. That's not the case, I am currently a kick azzzzzz lobbyist doing his work. Abracadabra 
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