Christian Living

Ounce Of Prevention

by Mari Morris
06/23/26
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Mari Morris

Copyright 6/20/2026

Ounce of Prevention

I hate to break this to you... But if I don't, your sin will.

(Proverbs 10:9)

Would you rather hear it from me? 

For the most part, you are already living exactly as you believe... So am I. 

Do you need proof? 

For that: you only need to look at the things that you are already doing. Have done. Haven't done.

Will do. Won't do. Will never do… no matter the inducement.

What do I mean?  

Well, no matter how sinful people can be, most of us will never even come close to committing the most heinous deeds that we all hear about on the news.

Why? 

Because the things that we are already convinced of keep us from doing the unimaginable. And they act as guardrails. Romans 2:14-15

So, when we sin, it's because we aren't convinced of the Truth in that area of our thinking. 

We are missing guardrails there. Or, the guardrails are in place, but we completely ignore them and choose to crash out instead.Why would we ever disregard safety measures and head straight off a cliff? 

Because we want the thing that we are pursuing more than we want wisdom and safety. When sin happens, we ignore anything and everything that would keep us safe, in favor of what we want even more. James 1:15

If you were driving down the highway, would you ever drive so close to the guardrails that you scrape the side of car the entire trip?

No. You wouldn’t. It would never even cross your mind to do that. Even if your only concern was your car and not your own safety.

But some Christians live that way. As in: “How close can I get to this biblical principle without sinning?”

We will even go and ask our Pastors. Or, try to use the Word of God to conjure up a biblical justification.

If you have to ask at all, why not use this guardrail instead, and: Avoid the appearance of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:22

The best way to confirm what you really believe is to listen to the way that you think and speak. And to watch the way that you really live. Matthew 12:34 Matthew 23:25–26

That is exactly why we need to live and walk in repentance. 

Something that you believed in your heart - or wanted more than truth – made your actions seem okay to you.

Repentance means to change the way you think. To put the guardrails up, and never get too close to them again. Romans 12:2

And changing the way you think, changes the way that you act.

Remember? 

The things that you are doing. Have done. Haven't done. Will do. Won't do. Will never do.

And remember:  Sorry Is... As Sorry Does.

When it comes to “Sorry” there is - “Sorry I got caught” – or, “Sorry that I have to pay these consequences.”

If that is your perspective, you would definitely be in the “sorriest” state of all. Because there is no recognition of sin and no desire to change your mind and heart.

The guardrails are there either way.

You can either find comfort in the wisdom, peace and safety they provide

Or, you can be laying on top of them after a thousand foot drop...
 

Biblical sorrow is the Goodness of God that leads to genuine repentance 2 Corinthians 7:10.

When your repentance is real, you will bear fruit in keeping with repentance.  Matthew 3:8

True repentance will put the guardrails back up.

With a Sign that says: 

CAUTION: 1000 Foot Drop! 

Proverbs 2:7 "He stores up sound wisdom for the upright. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity. 

Here is an Ounce of Prevention:

Thy Word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against Thee. Psalm 119:11 KJV