A couple had gone skiing and suddenly found themselves separated from their group. A little confused, they chose a side path. Unfortunately, it was not a path at all. When they got down the mountain through some rugged and dangerous terrain, they realized they were nowhere near the ski lodge. After eventually finding a ride back to their group, they arrived with many having already left for the day. Their choice to take a slight variation of direction took them farther than they wanted to go, kept them longer than they wanted to stay, and cost them more than they wanted to pay.
Small choices will eventually lead to bigger than expected outcomes. We must never forget the danger of small steps away from God.
THE DECEIVER
3:1… “the serpent was more subtle”
Although scripture is clear that a real serpent was present in this temptation, it is also equally clear that the serpent is the tool of Satan. Consider Jn. 8:44; II Cor. 11:3; I Jn. 3:8; Rev. 20:2 for further study (Source: Jamieson-Faucett-Brown Bible Commentary). Theologians believe that subtilty is not only the natural characteristic of the serpent, but it is also the reason Satan chose the serpent for this task. (Source: Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament)
I grew up in the 1970’s and 1980’s. There would be certain subjects we did not even dare talk about in our homes. Back then, the word “gay” meant happy in some situations (but it was changing swiftly). Pornography was only really available at a gas station on a rack behind the counter (the magazines were covered with only the title of the magazine visible). Today, these things and more are bold and forced upon us in everyday life situations.
The approach of temptation is rarely bold and brash. It is more often subtle in its approach and accomplished in smaller graduated steps. So, we know the Bible says love your wife, respect your husband, and obey your parents. However, temptation to disobey these commands almost never begins with in-your-face rebellion. The process is more subtle before it becomes more bold. It looks more like this:
o Step 1: Mentally rehearsing injustices or selfishness, but nothing overtly negative is exchanged. Negative mental rehearsing continues to grow when surrounded with unforgiven sin and repeated offenses.
o Step 2: More negative mental rehearsing continues because communication is absent, selfishness is embraced, and accountability is refused. Rolling your eyes at a spouse or parent begins after you have turned your back to them.
o Step 3: More negative mental rehearsing continues, and talking about the spouse or parent behind their back begins so as to gather emotional support for your position. The “silent treatment” begins. This refusal to talk to the other person escalates the conflict with greater lack of communication and confusion with frustration is the reward.
o Step 4: More negative mental rehearsing continues. Once emotional support is sufficiently obtained, small verbal challenges to test the waters of conflict will begin to appear.
o Step 5: More negative mental rehearsing continues. The verbal challenges will increase in intensity until yelling, throwing things, and physical abuse occur (unless restoration of relationship is embraced by both parties). A defensive/combative atmosphere seems to have popped up from nowhere; however, this atmosphere was nurtured and developed with many small (but wrong) choices along the way.
It is important to recognize the subtilty of Satan’s temptations to rebel against the Lord…and that even these small subtle temptations are big deals! Even these small subtle sinful choices need to be made right with God and others – and God is ready! Ps. 86:5.
You can fool the hapless public,
You can be a subtle fraud,
You can hide your little meanness,
But you can’t fool God!
You can advertise your virtues,
You can self-achievement laud,
You can load yourself with riches,
But you can’t fool God!
You can criticize the Bible,
You can be a selfish clod,
You can lie, swear, drink, and gamble,
But you can’t fool God!
You can magnify your talent,
You can hear the world applaud,
You can boast yourself somebody,
But you can’t fool God! (Source: Unknown)
Don’t excuse the subtle sinful choices you have made in your life. You may be fooling others, but you will never fool God! Before you travel that road any further, come back to Jesus and live.