The Bible teaches that God uses His providence and the influence of His Spirit to prevent sin in the lives of His people.
In the story recounted in 1 Samuel 25, we see God at work in the lives of Nabal, Abigail, and David. Nabal's selfishness and folly bring him to a point of conflict with David, who is on his way to avenge himself. However, Abigail's wise and immediate intercession prevents David from committing the sin of avenging himself. This illustrates that God is the author of the prevention of sin, operating through the events of our lives and by influencing our hearts through His Spirit. John Brown observed that God prevents sin both by providential arrangements and by working within us, prompting our decisions away from sinful actions.
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