My wife and I can't seem to get enough of the cruise ship disaster in Italy. The first hand footage from people with cell phones brings the whole nightmare right into our living room. Why we would want to experience that. I have no idea, but we do, so Dr Phil can just butt out.
Tonight they were showing how recklessly the captain sailed his ship into shallow waters. Then they seemed to prove that the captain jumped ship early in the emergency and didn't stick around to supervise evacuations. If this is true, then he is responsible for the death of more people than most serial killers. A fact that the Italian Police seem to be considering.
How often do we recklessly chose to flirt with danger, knowing its outcome would be devastating. For each person, the danger may be a little different, based on our individual weakness and vulnerability.
It was suggested that the cruise ship captain knew people on the island and was attempting to show off for people in the village. I would love to recoil in horror but, which of us hasn't been tempted to step on the wild side and flirt with adrenaline, expecting to either not get caught or at the very least, expect no one to get hurt.
The writer of Hebrews pointed out that Moses, "He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time." Hebrews 11:25
Think about that phrase, "enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time". There are two thoughts to roll around in your head. (a) "He chose", the book of James 1:14 says, "but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed."
No one wakes up some morning and says, "Yup, I am going to go out today and destroy my marriage". Remember this: "Every evil deed that men do, is the result of a long process of wicked thinking". I suspect this deserves to be its own blog but for now I will introduce you to the truth and we will develop it at a later date.
Now consider, (b) "enjoy the pleasures of sin", this is where the adrenaline rush comes in. Yes, sin can be exciting but as my friend Dan likes to say, "Never trade the family wagon in for one ride in a sports car". Again, this deserves its own blog.
Last but not least, (c) "for a short time", this is what Romans 6:23 calls, "the wages of sin". Let me share with you a little weirdness that always catches me off guard, no matter how many times I have it slap me in the face. Some genius choses to follow his (or her) fleshly desires and makes some terrible devastating decisions. And when the fat lady has sang and the fun is over and it is time for accountability, my phone rings. And I hear a voice on the other end say, (no I'm not making this up) "Why is God doing this to me? What does He want? I need counseling."
STEP #1: Recognize your desire for sin
James 1:14 explains that we are tempted when we become enticed by our own natural desires. The first step toward avoiding temptation, is recognizing our human tendency to be tempted by our own fleshly desires. Temptation is a given, so don't be surprised by it. Rather, expect to be tempted. Be prepared for it.
STEP #2: Run away from the temptation
1 Corinthians 10:13, "But remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it."
When you are face to face with temptation, look for the way out that God has promised and then run as fast as you can.
STEP #3: Resist temptation with God's Word
Hebrews 4:12 says God's Word is living and active. Did you know you can carry a weapon that will make your thoughts obey Jesus Christ? read 2 Corinthians 10:4-5
Reading God's Word daily, so that eventually you have so much of it inside, you are ready whenever temptation comes. You will automatically know what God thinks. Read Philippians 4:8. If you are reading through the Bible regularly, you will have your mind and heart in tune with God's heart and thoughts.
Our Goal is to love what God loves and hate what God hates.
STEP #4: Repent quickly when you fail
In several places the Bible tells us the best way to resist temptation is to flee from it (1 Corinthians 6:18; 1 Corinthians 10:14; 1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 2:22).. It is not the end of the world when you fail, but it is very dangerous to persist in your sin.
It will help you to memorize 1 John 1:9 and Psalm 66:18.
