Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK

“C’mon Baby, Let’s Do the Twist”
“I've spread fresh, clean sheets on my bed, colorful imported linens.” – Proverbs 7:16 (MSG)

“When the Woman saw that the tree looked like good eating and realized what she would get out of it—she'd know everything!—she took and ate the fruit and then gave some to her husband, and he ate.” – Genesis 3:6 (MSG)

I am not sure if the following question is more philosophical or theological in nature, but is temptation still temptation if it does not appeal to ones sense of desire? Isn’t temptation all about the appeal? It’s about taking that which by its very nature is good, wholesome and even essential to our existence and then twisting it in ways it was never intended. For example, food is good and absolutely essential—but misused can be destructive to the very body it is intended to assist. Sex was created by God and is good and essential to continue life—but we see the results when it is used incorrectly, that it too is destructive not only to us but also to relationships as well. Money (or some form of payment for goods and services) has been a part of our human existence from practically the beginning—but allow greed to worm its way in and the result is equally destructive as the other two examples. Life is a great dance! Especially when you are dancing with the one who invited you—He is the Lord of Dance! But there is one who wants to pervert the dance and make it what it was not intended to be.
I remember my junior high years and the highlight of those times were going to my school dances. Everyone was there. The atmosphere was electric (as was the music) and when maintained with discipline was good and fun. But as in most cases, there were those who attended that were there to do nothing more than create havoc and mischief.
There are two parallels from the verse in Proverbs and the one from Genesis—they both appeal to the senses and they both appeal to our God-given desires. They are both very real and both a significant part of our human existence. To deny their reality would be like denying your own existence. And both are good examples of how Satan can take what is necessary and good and pleasant and twist it to fit his agenda. Consider this account in Jesus’ life: “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”
Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” – Matthew 4:1-10 (NIV)
The reason for the inclusion of this passage simply has to do with Satan doing what he has been doing from the beginning—taking that which is good by nature: the physical, the psychological, and the spiritual, and attempts to create just enough doubt in Jesus’ mind as he did with Eve and make the wrong seem right.
But Jesus did not take the bait. He did not dance around the issues with Satan and do the “Temptation Twist” with him. A great lesson for us to learn. Life is good and what has been provided by God to make this dance more pleasant and enjoyable is to be embraced—but must always be kept in context. If you hear the words, “C’mon baby, let’s do the twist,” refuse him, and continue to dance with the One who bought you!
Pastor J. T. Carnell