Sin and Temptation: Week 1, Day 3

Day 3: Tricked Again

His name is Todd. Ever since he was born, people knew there was something extra special about this kid. I mean, he was gorgeous with the best personality. There was no one more special in the world than Todd.

As Todd was growing up, he had an older brother named Jeff. Jeff was a bully and the meanest kid in school. What was Jeff's favorite thing to do during the day? Give Todd pain and make Todd feel stupid. Todd will never forget when his brother told him about a new toy on the side of the wall. He said, "Todd, that little thing over there was made for your fingers. Go stick your fingers in those holes." Daaaaaaa o.k. Jeff. ZZZZZZZ (the sound of electricity going through Todd’s body). OWWWWWWWWWW! Ha, Ha, Ha.

"Hey, Todd, come over here and look at this new toy Mom and Dad put down in the basement. I bet you can't take that little piece of cheese off that little metal piece." "Oh yeah, watch this,” Todd said. “OWWWWWWWWWWWW!" Ha, Ha, Ha.

"Hey Todd, do you want a bite of my Baby Ruth candy bar? It's delicious." "Okay, thanks!” Todd said. “YUCK, what is this? It smells like poop...disgusting!” Ha, Ha, Ha.

All the stories above are true stories from my life. (Except for the Baby Ruth story, I am not that stupid.) My brother had this way of making things look fun when in reality, they were things that hurt me and or upset me. My brother loved to watch me slam my face in the door or trick me into believing soap was a great dessert treat. He was hilarious to con me into mowing the grass for nothing while he got paid for it. Something about my brother always convinced me that what he was saying to me was the truth.

In our lives, we have someone constantly trying to convince us that something is really good for us when in reality, it's very bad for us. His name is Satan, Lucifer, the Devil, and he was, is, and forever will be, the scum of the earth. The Bible tells us that the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. He's the one that tricks us into believing that going too far with a guy or girl is o.k. He tells you lies like, “Hey, there's no guilt, no serious consequences.” We all know that's a big cow pie. He's the one that tempts us in the middle of a test to look at someone else’s paper to borrow a few answers. He tells us that no one will ever find out, and it will give you a better grade. Well, it might be true that nobody else will know about you taking those answers, but you'll know, and so will God, and we both know that isn't good.

How does Satan constantly trick us into believing this stuff? I mean, how stupid are we? It's not that we're so stupid. It’s because Satan is so smart. You see, I don't think we give enough credit to the old scum of the earth. He takes spiritual warfare seriously. I mean, he is consumed with trying to make you mess up. His biggest joy in life is making God's children feel like slugs with salt on top. He wants to rob you of your peace, joy, contentment, and purpose that God has given you in your life. I want to warn you that if you don't take Satan and his scheming seriously, he will eat you for lunch. So how do you stop him from tricking you consistently? Good question! Here's the answer:

1. Spend some quiet time with God every single day.

2. Think about God all through your day. Ask yourself, is this something that God would want me to do, say, or attend?

3. Read your Bible daily. If the only daily Bible input you’re getting is from the “Time Out” section, your spiritual gas tank is constantly on empty. Take time to read one chapter a day out of one of the books of the Bible. (Note: It’s a good idea to read one chapter a day out of the same book until you're through with that book. Try the book of James or I John.)

4. Do something nice for someone else. By doing something nice for someone else, you'll be showing Satan whose team you’re really on. Also, it will keep you busy, so you won't have time to mess up.

5. Talk to God about everything. You know God is concerned about your life. He wants to be the biggest part of your life so talk to Him all the time.

As I got older, I started figuring out that what my brother generally told me didn't turn out like he said it would. Finally, I realized what he was trying to do to me, and I began to watch out for him everywhere I went. As you become an older and more mature Christian, you will begin to recognize Satan's evil plans much more frequently, and you won’t get as tripped up by his evil schemes. The key is to always be on the alert because Satan has this way of making poop look like a Baby Ruth. They just don't taste the same.

Time Out:

How has Satan tricked you in the past?

Have you ever found yourself doing something that maybe two months earlier your morals and values would never let you do?

3. What does I Peter 5:8-9 tell us to do to stand up against the devil’s evil schemes?

4. Read John 8:42-47. What did Jesus have to say about the ways of the devil?