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12/02/2021 03:00 - 13/02/2021 02:00

"The wise are cautious and avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence" - Proverbs 14:16, NIV).

Once the Rev Billy Graham was invited out to have lunch with then US first lady, Hillary Clinton. He surprised most when word came back- "Billy Graham" does not meet any member of the opposite sex alone"! A compromise was only reached after it was agreed the meeting would take place in an open public building.

What some were not aware is that back in 1948 Billy Graham and four other male co-workers had adopted the Modesto manifesto where they  resolved to "avoid any situation that would have even the appearance of compromise or suspicion". Although he led a highly public life where he was very much under constant scrutiny it has been noted by all that Graham was never linked to any moral scandal.

Former US Vice President, Mike Pence, equally shared the same principles. In March 2017, The Washington Post noted that Vice President Mike Pence never eats alone with a woman other than his wife, Karen, and that he won't attend events featuring alcohol without her by his side. This caused some discussion of what became known as the "Pence rule"!

There might be those who would view these two gentlemen as stiff absolutes. After all, there is also no Biblical injunctions forbidding opposite sex meeting. However, when one becomes aware of the temptations that those in leadership face, where on occasions even the mighty fall, this might only be simple wise caution, to do one well in the Christian life.

Ephesians 5:15 says, "Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise.." In every life sometimes it helps to have some guiding principles, which clearly we see, served well these two leaders.

Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I pray that you guide me in my walk with you and that I avoid such situations where the enemy can easily cause me to go astray.

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