Temptations: We all have them.
I read in Bob Russell devotional book this story. Once while playing golf, I watched a fascinating drama. It started when a large dog began chasing a mallard duck that had been peacefully minding her own business.
The duck scurried into a nearby lake and began to swim away. The dog refused to quit and dove in after her.
The duck led the dog right to the middle of the pond, sometimes slowing down a little to entice the canine. Just when the dog seemed ready to catch his prey, the duck disappeared underwater. The dog stopped, lifted its head, and looked around, completely bewildered. About fifteen seconds later, the duck resurfaced forty or fifty feet away. The dog swam frantically to catch up, only for the duck to repeat the disappearing act.
Our foursome was doubling over with laughter. But then we noticed the dog sinking lower and lower in the water. We realized he could be in serious trouble since he was a good distance from shore.
As the duck disappeared underwater once again, the dog finally seemed to realize that not only was his pursuit futile, but that his life was in danger. The dog started paddling like crazy, straining every muscle trying to reach shore, its nose barely above water. Completely exhausted, he managed to drag himself up on land. He stood panting for several minutes, heaving to regain his breath-and his composure.
Our group was impressed by what we had witnessed: The dog had overestimated his strength and tried to conquer a duck in her arena of expertise. It almost cost the dog's life.
This story cause me to think about how Simon Peter got sucked in by Satan in much the same way. Jesus had warned Simon that the devil wanted to sift him like wheat. But Peter was so confident of his loyalty that he ignored Jesus' warning and walked into the courtyard of the high priest and began to warm himself around the enemy's fire.
Satan had the big fisherman right where he wanted him. Simon was in enemy territory, and he barely escaped with his life. He was humiliated by how quickly he yielded to the pressure and denied even knowing Jesus.
The devil wants to entice us into his territory also. But if we warm by the devil's fire, we almost always get burned for two reasons. First, the pressure to conform to the crowd is awesome. Loneliness plays havoc with convictions. Second, our spirits are quickly desensitized. Wicked behavior that initially shocks us soon becomes tolerable. The lesson is a simple one: Use wisdom in evaluating your strengths and weaknesses. It's been said that temptation usually comes through a door that's been left wide open. Don't overestimate your ability to overcome temptation. Don't give the devil a foothold. Don't warm yourself at his fire.
Consider
I. Have you ever overestimated your own physical strength? What was the result? What lesson might be applied to temptation?
2. How could Peter have avoided the temptation to deny Jesus?
3. What kinds of temptations are easy for you to resist and control? What kinds are harder to handle? How can you keep those under control?
Pastor Paul Leavens