I Walk the Line

One night when Cash was so worn out from traveling he didn’t know where he’d find the strength to perform, he was offered a pill to help him get through. After a moment’s hesitation, Cash took the pill and swallowed it. That night he gave a whale of a show, and it became the first of many.

It’s not unlike when Eve offered Adam forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden. It seemed like a good idea at the time, but the results of that fateful bite would reverberate through humanity for time immemorial. Sin would enter into the human race.

These pills that Johnny initially loved would actually play a part in keeping him away from God because of his guilt. But once you taste that forbidden fruit, it’s hard, if not impossible, to turn back the clock.

It wasn’t long before a couple of pills weren’t enough. It’s the nature of the beast. Over the years Cash’s amphetamine use steadily increased and nearly destroyed his career and all of his relationships.

Not long after meeting June Carter, Johnny Cash, despite being married already, told her, “Someday I’m going to marry you.” Less than a year after it was recorded as a ringing anthem of faithfulness to his wife, Johnny Cash’s “I Walk the Line” was just another song.

Scripture Reading: 

1. All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. (1 Corinthians 6:12 NKJV)

Have you struggled with addiction of any type? How has it impacted your life?

2. Drink water from your own cistern, and running water from your own well.

Should your fountains be dispersed abroad, streams of water in the streets?

Let them be only your own, and not for strangers with you.

Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice with the wife of your youth.

As a loving deer and a graceful doe, let her breasts satisfy you at all times;

And always be enraptured with her love.

For why should you, my son, be enraptured by an immoral woman, and be embraced in the arms of a seductress? (Proverbs 5:15–20 NKJV)

If you are married, what kinds of safeguards can you put in place to remain faithful to your spouse and enjoy security in your marriage?

3. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. (1 Corinthians 10:13 NKJV)

Call upon Me in the day of trouble;

I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me. (Psalm 50:15 NKJV)

How can we avoid sinning when we are tempted?