James 4:4-6
You're cheating on God. If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies of God and his way. And do you suppose God doesn't care? The proverb has it that "he's a fiercely jealous lover." And what he gives in love is far better than anything else you'll find. It's common knowledge that "God goes against the willful proud; God gives grace to the willing humble.”
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
On the reality TV show, “The Biggest Loser,” there are frequent “temptation” games. Often, the contestants will be presented with tables laden with their favorite foods… pizza, cheeseburgers, cupcakes, candy, ice cream and more. The challenge is offered… whichever team eats the most calories will win an advantage in the overall game. Then contestants are brought in one at a time and given a certain number of minutes to eat as much as they can.
Some contestants go nuts and cram high-calorie, fat-laden foods into their mouths as fast as possible for the allotted time. Others come into the room, fold their arms and say, “I’m not sabotaging my health and weight loss for this.” Some teams agree as a group not to cave in to the pressure… and none of them eat. Virtually every time this challenge is presented, at least one person will take the dare…often with dire consequences.
Usually, the rest of the team feels betrayed. In some instances, the “prize” involves the “winner” getting to make decisions that alter the course of the entire game – and the lives of those who are participating. More than once, this decision to “flirt with danger” and eat the tempting foods has had disastrous payoffs… from weight gain to alienation from the group to actually being ousted from the game by fellow contestants. The sense of separation cannot possibly be worth those brief times of satiation with the rich, delicious foods.
If you think about your Spiritual life in this context, you can readily see that a few minutes of flirting with the devil’s temptations can lead to heartbreaking results. Not only might your selfish choices cost you directly in some way… they can also lead to alienation and/or separation from other people – and worse yet, from God.
As much as it would pain me to experience the distance or rejection of my friends and family, I cannot bear to think of disappointing God. As a disciple of Christ, I know that God would never completely turn His back on me. But just the idea that the One who has done so much for me could be heartbroken over my choices – even temporarily – is not a thought I care to entertain… much less make a reality.
So I am choosing NOT to take the dare… to “step away from the table” of temptations of this world. I know it won’t be easy. I know that Satan is clever… and persistent… and we are weak human creatures. But I also know that I am made strong by the word and wisdom of the LORD… cleansed by the blood of Jesus… and equipped with His full armor to fight against whatever the devil throws in my face.
How is your armor… does it need a little polish and refreshing? Do you need to reconnect with God and give your resolve a bit of a facelift? When your turn comes at the “temptation table,” will you eat… or will you fold your arms and say “No thanks”? Will you operate in pride or humility? Who has your heart these days… the enticements of this world and all that Satan has to offer? Or are you trusting in God’s promises to bless you and meet your every need – both now, and for all eternity?
©2012 Debbie Robus
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