Really Good Advice On TEMPTATION

Remember when video games were simple? When all you had to master was a joystick and maybe two buttons? Although crude by today's standards, games from the early 80's (Galaga, Centipede, Pac Man, Donkey Kong, etc.) were a lot of fun. They also taught some valuable lessons. Take the game Asteroids for example- the goal was to survive as long as you could by dodging a never-ending stream of rocks that threatened to crush you. Sounds a lot like life to me. Unfortunately, we aren't just dodging random obstacles, sometimes we're fighting for our lives against situations that we have created ourselves. Maybe this is why the Bible has so much to say about temptation.

THE ROOT
Temptation is like a weed. Pull it out and it keeps coming back. Why? It's got STRONG ROOTS. What's underneath every temptation we face? The desire to replace God- either with ourselves or some other created thing. We aren't just enticed to do something that is "wrong", but to set ourselves up as the arbiters of what is right or wrong, good or bad.

THE FORM
What does temptation look like? Some forms are easy to recognize, but others are more subtle. If the root of temptation is to put something else in God's place, then temptation can come though most any source- especially through the good gifts of God. For example, work is good- until all we do is work. Kid's are a blessing, until they become the center of our lives and marriages. Food is good, until we live to eat. Sex is good until we expect it to satisfy all of the deep longings of our souls. Dealing with temptation would be easier if it only came in forms that were scary and ugly.

THE LIES
Nudges towards the wrong paths in life usually come wrapped in lies: "You won't get caught." "Once won't hurt." "You can stop anytime." Here are a couple of the most devastating lies that we face as we deal with temptation: "You are the only one." "You can't win." Although it might feel that way at times, GOD SPEAKS AGAINST this kind of hopelessness. No matter what tempts us today, we aren't the first to experience it. We won't be the last. And it isn't too big or strong for us. With every temptation, God provides an escape hatch. An exit. A back door.

STAY AWAY
Maybe one of the best ways to deal with the things that compete with God for our hearts is to KEEP A RESPECTFUL DISTANCE whenever we are able. Struggle with debt? Cut up the credit card. Find it hard to stop drinking. Don't start. Enjoy gossip? Avoid the situations that invite it. Gravitate towards spots on the wwweb that erode your soul? Get an internet filter/blocker. Fire rarely burns from a distance.

REMEMBER THE CONSEQUENCES
Seen these COMMERCIALS FROM SUBWAY? Why are they compelling? Because they tell the truth about where fast food will eventually lead us. What if we did the same with every invitation we encounter to replace God with something else? Let's assume we'll get caught up in it and will find ourselves PAYING THE PRICE. Is that what we really want?

ASK FOR HELP
Every time we face temptation we're dealing with spiritual forces beyond human willpower. Maybe we need to level the playing field. While human support can be vital when we struggle, our weaknesses give us a great opportunity to LEAN ON SOMEONE STRONGER THAN WE ARE.

REFLECT
Q: Which is harder for you, recognizing the temptation you are facing, or what is behind it?

Q: Can you think of a time you were facing a temptation that seemed too strong for you? What did you do? How did things turn out?

Q: Is there anyone in your life who you can turn to and find support when you are struggling with temptation? Do you find yourself praying regularly about it?