TEMPTED AND TRIED

SHORING UP THE FOUNDATIONS #2

Mac Anthony was called the, “silver-tongued orator of Rome.” He was a brilliant statesman, magnificent in battle, courageous and strong. He was handsome. He had all the qualities of becoming a great leader. However his huge flaw—over whelming flaw— was moral weakness. On one occasion one of his personal tutors shouted at him, “O Marcus, O colossal child, able to conquer the world but unable to resist temptation.”

Most presidential historians will tell you that few men have come into the presidency with a more brilliant intellect and educational background than Bill Clinton. His whole adult life had been spent in the political arena. It could easily be said that he is one of the greatest politicians in the history of our country. But his lack of moral restraint throughout his life has tarnished all of those other things.

George F. Will wrote a book about baseball entitled, “Men At Work.” One of the players he wrote about was Orel Hershiser, who pitched the Los Angeles Dodgers to a World Series victory in 1988. Hershiser said, “There are two theories of pitching. One is that you try to convince the batter that a particular pitch is coming and you throw something different. The other theory is that if the batter expects a particular pitch, you throw it, but you throw it in a place where he can’t hit it.” If he’s a highball hitter, throw it a bit too high. His eagerness will make him swing at it but because of its location it’ll be hard to hit well." Doesn’t that sound like the way the Devil uses temptations against us? He knows just what kind of pitch that we’re a sucker for and then throws it at us. Most likely we’ll swing on it every time because it looks so good and it feels so right. But what’s the result? A strike out.

The apostle Peter wrote, “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls about seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Paul says, “Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.” Satan wants to do everything he can to get your soul, to lead you and your loved ones into sin, to get you to forsake the Lord and the truth. He makes fun of the things that are right and seduce you with the things that are wrong. He tells you how important it is to please men and how out of touch God’s ways are. He makes fun of the Lord and His church. He wants the church to look foolish and hypocritical. He makes fun of people who want to do right by calling them demeaning names and picturing them as radical and mentally imbalanced. At the same time he makes heroes out of sinners. He says over and over again that sin really isn't so bad. He makes counterfeit religions and counterfeit churches that look like the real thing. He tells people that God's grace is so great that people can substitute self-made beliefs and practices for the Biblical ones. He tellsl you that you are #1. He promotes jealousy, envy, and pride. He wants us to forget kindness and compassion. He encourages gossip and slander. He tries to control us by making us selfish and blind to the needs of anyone else. He wants to distract us and keep our mind away from God and His work. He says that service to God is optional.

Is it any wonder Peter says, “Be self-controlled, be alert!” Practice restraint. Don’t swing at every ball thrown your way. Paul wrote to Timothy, “Flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. 12Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses” - 1 Tim. 4:11-12.

That's "The Way I See It!"