How long can you tiptoe on the edge of a cliff before you fall over? How long can you stare at a fresh baked chocolate chip cookie before you give in and take a bit?
Studies have shown that our willpower is like a muscle. That means you can exercise it and make it stronger, but it also means that it can wear out.
Given that it can wear out, why put it to the test? If you know it will give out immediately, the wise option is to turn away from anything that tests it at the first sign, rather than dabble with it. Flee from sin at the first opportunity, rather than play with temptation and think you're stronger than it. No matter what you may think, if you live close to the edge for long enough, eventually, you'll fall over. It's simply a matter of time.
Here, the author is warning about adultery, but it's true of any sin... flee from it at the first sign, don't engage with temptation of any sort -- rather than test yourself, turn from sin and find a wise path that makes it easier to avoid sin.
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