One of the characteristics of a good king was that the places of false worship were destroyed. In God's eyes, it was not enough for the king to simply lead God's people in true worship. The king was also required by God to tear down the places of false worship.
These false places of worship were known as high places, and proved to be stumbling blocks for the nation of Israel. The high places strove for the affections of Israel, so also exists high places in our lives that strive for our affections.
And Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God:For he took away the altars of the strange gods, and the high places, and brake down the images, and cut down the groves: [2 Chr 14:2-3]And he walked in all the ways of Asa his father; he turned not aside from it, doing that which was right in the eyes of the LORD: nevertheless the high places were not taken away; for the people offered and burnt incense yet in the high places. [1 King 22:43]
Jehoshaphat, son of Asa, was doing much right in his personal life, yet God still had a charge to bring against him. Jehoshaphat was not worshipping at the high places, yet he did not do what was in his direct control to stop others from this false worship.
Jehoshaphat was responsible for his relationship to God, and doing what he could to lead others into true worship. The same is true for all rulers, teachers, pastors, parents, managers, and any others in authority.
It is the rulers responsible to do all within their power to protect those in their control from sin-- to tear down the high places.
And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea. [Mark 9:42]
By looking around me today, I'd say many high places are standing firm.
The Bible exhorts us to make no provision for the flesh.
But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not pro- vision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. [Rom 13:14]
Since our leaders have refused to tear down the high places, each individual is responsible to God to separated themselves from the high places. But how shall we do that? I think Paul gives us a good look into that problem.
All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. [1 Cor 6:12]
For Paul, his high places were anything that would not be profitable for him, things that would lead him into bondage. Paul's goal was to avoid anything that might overpower him, and that should be our goal as well.
The opportunity to sin should be viewed as an assassination attempt on your life, for that is exactly what it is.
And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out. [Gen 39:12]For the wages of sin is death; [Rom 6:23]
Joseph found himself in a high place. At first he tried to remove the high place through reasoning.
There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? [Gen 39:9]
And when that did not work, he fled.
The Bible provides us a vast amount of examples concerning the consequences of sin. I feel all those examples can be reduced to a sermon quote I once heard.
Sin will take you farther than you want to go;Keep you longer than you want to stay;
And cost you more than you want to pay!