Wrestling With Temptation

"Did you see that? -- I can't believe it! The Road Warriors have turned on STING! -- their own partner!"

So went the announcer -- on and on, as the crowd "boo'ed" and cheered. In the center of the wrestling ring, two men called the Road Warriors, had just "pulverized" the three-man opposing team, and were now turning their tumbles, jabs, slaps, and what-have-you against Sting, the third member of their own team!

Unlike, the perplexed announcer, I think it is easy to figure out what was going on. The Road Warriors apparently saw better opportunities on the "dark side" of the ring; better matches, more notoriety, more money. Surely, even if you have seen only one wrestling match, you know they are full of symbolism; good verses bad, nice verses mean, decent verses deceitful . . . costumes and gimmicks give it away.

"Crossing over" is nothing unique to wrestling. We see it in everyday human affairs. People will often change their position or direction because of what "the other side" offers. Loyalties, alliances, contracts -- all fall by the wayside as scruples crumble and collapse under the attractive seductions of the offerings.

Have you ever given in? At one time or another, we have all given in. We have all felt the shame, the agony, and the guilt of failing to hold fast. That all have fallen short of the glory of God is enough to illustrate this truth. Paul said, "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light. (Eph. 5:8)

Others before us have given in. There are several examples found in the Scriptures. One such example is known even by the smallest child -- Adam and Eve; man's first crossing over. Achan, in Joshua 7:19, caused the Israelites to lose a few battles and the lives of some men because he gave in to temptation; keeping back a few of the forbidden spoils of battle. Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for the insignificant amount of a bowl of stew (Gen. 25:34). And, King Solomon started to falter when he began marrying foreign women. "As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been." (1 Kings 11:4)

Several examples can also be seen in the New Testament. In John 6:66, many disciples are said to have "turned back." Matthew tells of a rich young man who "went away sad" when Christ told him he had to give up the world. (Matt. 19:22) And Paul writes the sad note of Demas, one of his fellow workers, who turned back to the world he had left. (2 Tim. 4:10)

One example that stands out for me though, is Peter (John 18). How do you think Peter felt as he heard the rooster in the distance? There stood Peter, a man who had walked side-by-side with Christ in close companionship. Instead of being at His side, Peter stood outside swearing that he knew nothing about Him. And then -- as Christ had told him -- the cock crowed!

Many men throughout time have given in or crossed over. Somehow the lure of riches, power, position or popularity has clouded men's minds and has led them to believe that they would benefit from altering their course. On a spiritual level, this is like derailing a train -- off the track, the train won't go far, and is destined for disaster!

For this reason, there are several instances in which we are encouraged to resist temptation. Proverbs 1:10, Proverbs 4:q4,, Romans 6:13, Ephesians 6:13, and 2 Peter 3:17, all instruct us to resist temptation, but probably the best encouragement I've found is in 1 Corinthians 10:13:

"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."

The Lord wants us to walk in the Light. When the world grasps hold of you and begins to wrestle, trying to pull you over into darkness, don't forget to look for that "way out" God has provided!