Weighing the Options

Why are we such easy prey when sin presents itself to us?  Here is an intriguing verse from 2 Chronicles 25:15, The Lord had sent one of his representatives to address King Amaziah and said,”Why have you sought the gods of a people who did not deliver their own people from your hand?” In other words, “what are you thinking? If the gods of your enemies were useless to stop you, what makes you think that all of a sudden these gods are worth following!”
It reminds me of the Apostle Paul’s exhortation in Romans 6:21, “But what fruit were you getting at that time from things of which you are now ashamed?”

In our battle against sin and sinful desires that continue to rear their ugly ahead in our lives, what plan do we have to win that battle? In my own life I have found that I must convince myself that what God has to offer me is so vastly superior than anything sin has to offer. Sin wants to deceive me into thinking that it’s delights are worth trading in my integrity and testimony.

More often than not, sin’s deception is found in engaging our emotions and lusts. When that happens we fall for the bait, hook, line, and sinker! We don’t take the time to think through our next reaction to sin’s appealing presentation. But, what if we did?

For example, when we are talking with a friend about someone else and are tempted to take liberties with that person’s reputation. Stop and think what the result would be if you continued down that line of conversation. Or, if an advertisement pops up online that features an attractive woman, what do you do next? Do you click on it or ignore it? You know exactly where that will lead if you follow that link.

We need to think through all of our actions and reactions to avoid sin’s entrapment. Why would we participate in things that we know lead to a place called “Nothing Good Here”? King Amaziah failed to follow this procedure. He thought that there was some redeeming quality in gods that could not save their own country.

In our day, sin is everywhere teasing God’s people to follow it’s deadly trail. Unfortunately, too many are doing so and their lives and testimony are not what they could be. Let’s keep our focus on the grace and goodness of our Lord. What he offers us is far superior to sin’s paltry, momentary and fleeting satisfaction.