If It Seems To Be Too Good...

And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

2 Corinthians 11:14 

 

 Several years ago, Robin Williams did a wonderful movie called "Mrs. Doubtfire" in which he disguised himself as a woman in order to keep close to his kids...at first.  Then his purpose became to sabotage his ex-wife's relationship.  This entire scheme seemed like a good idea...at first.

 

Isn't that how temptation begins with us?  As a good idea?  Yet once we step on that road we quickly discover it seemed too good to be true and, it turns out, takes us on a downward spiral.  Now, I will say this...if the tempter appeared in his true form, we would probably not have too difficult time avoiding temptation.  Yet we seldom see the true nature of the tempter until he's already got his claws into us.

 

It seemed like a good plan at the time.  I had my quarter and my 10 pieces of bubble gum when a thought popped into my head, "This store has a gazillion pieces of bubble gum!  They won't care if I take a few and put them in my pocket."  So I stole 5 pieces of bubble gum.    I wish I could say I got away with it.  But truth be told, two steps out of the store and I felt a hand firmly on my shoulder.  When my parents arrived to collect me, that "good plan at the time" became my nightmare.  I was severely punished!  And my all my reasoning would not alter the fact that I had done wrong.

 

Yes, this story is true.  To some, it might seem silly.  The truth of the matter is that sin almost always seems like a good idea at the time.  So we must keep our guard up.  Scripture tells us that Satan prowls around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.  The roaring lion is the one who gets the prey to run into a trap because it seems a better idea than standing one's ground and resisting.  But we are told to "resist the devil and he WILL flee from you."

 

Take that for what it's worth.