Don’t Be Squirrely!
The other day I was driving into our neighborhood and a squirrel shot across the road in front of me. Now this particular squirrel was quick and spasmodic in his movement as most squirrels are, but also pretty flighty. He was completely beside himself in an attempt to decide which way to go. He darted back and forth probably half a dozen times within a two to three foot area just ahead of my approaching tires. I did what any intelligent and experienced driver would do. I closed my eyes, took my foot off the pedal, stayed in my lane and made a high-pitched groaning sound (to hide the possible sound of a thump). To my amazement and relief–as well as the squirrel’s–the little guy somehow made it across without coming in contact with my all-season Continentals.
I seem to have quick analogies pop into my head that I question, but stick with me on this one. I recently completed a study of Genesis with some neighbor ladies. The book ends, of course, with the compelling story of Joseph. One episode of his life occurred when he was serving as second in command in the home of Potiphar, a wealthy captain of the guard in Egypt. Many of you likely know the story. Potiphar’s wife had the hots for Joseph who was apparently quite handsome and well-built. One day she made a move on Joseph and the Bible tells us that he left the scene so quickly that she retained his outer garment, later using it to falsely accuse him. Joseph didn’t need to consider whether or not this was a good idea. He saw the temptation for what it was. There was no darting back and forth in his mind. That’s a dangerous place to be because you risk destruction should you dwell on the “what-if’s” too long.
Facing temptations of many kinds will happen. It’s not a sin to be tempted, but we then face the same choice as my little squirrel friend. Will you entertain the idea? 2 Corinthians 10:5 tells us to “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” In 2 Timothy 2:22 we read that we are to “flee the evil desires of youth” and 1 Corinthians 10:13 reminds us that God will “provide the way of escape” when we are tempted. There is an urgency and a single-mindedness that is needed when we are being lured into behavior that is not honoring to the Lord.
The great news is that if we submit ourselves to God and resist the devil, he will actually flee from us. (James 4:7) So whether the temptations we face are big sexual sins as in Joseph’s story or just the spreading of that little rumor or not doing anything about the item we forgot to pay for at the self-checkout, let’s not delay in our response. We know what the right thing is to do. You might say, this is where the rubber meets the road, and you don’t want to get caught in between!
