One of the more common tropes found in game shows is the “choice.” The contestant has to make a choice: will she keep what she has or risk it for what could be better? Will she choose door 1 or door 2? Will she keep playing or walk away? The reason why the “choice” is so common is because it is so exciting. We can almost feel the tension that the contestant feels. It pulls us to the edges of our seats. Because in making the “choice” we recognize that the contestant has put everything on the line. She could have just made the best decision of her life…or the worst.
Temptation to Sin
When we think of being tempted to sin, we probably think of our “choice” in these terms: “Will I choose to sin or not.” That may seem kind of basic, but there is a critical nuance in there we need to discover, because it is a nuance that could very well lead us to choose to sin more often than not. Think about that “choice” a little more. It’s a choice of two options. What are they? That’s right: to either sin or to remain neutral (not to sin). That last part is the nuance we need to see. Because that is not the real “choice” we make. Far from it. Our choice is much more important.
The first part of our choice is indeed if we will sin. But that second part is not merely not to sin. Rather, it is to trust in God. Do we sin or do we trust in God? Do we believe the lies of Satan and the lies we tell ourselves about the pleasure we will find in that sin, or will we trust in God and His truth?
Do you see why this matters? If we look at temptation the first way, it is a matter of a mistake or neutrality. But if we look at temptation the second way, it is a matter of rebellion against God or faithfulness to Him. This is the choice at the center of temptation. And this is what we see Jesus handle in His temptation by Satan. Jesus was not tempted to merely disobey the Father, He was tempted to doubt the Father—to disbelieve Him. And that is where He took His stand. Jesus overcame temptation by holding firm in His trust in the Father.
Trusting in God
Our kids need to understand that trusting in God is the defense against giving in to temptation, as do we. When we are tempted to sin—which happens all the time—we cannot rely on our own ability to white knuckle it as we stand firm. We cannot rely on accountability partners, internet filters, or anything else. Rather, we need to turn to God alone and plead with the Holy Spirit that He saturates our minds and hearts with God’s truth to combat the lies before us. This is what Jesus did when He was tempted—He responded by standing behind God’s Word—should we do anything different?
May we be vessels used by God not only to cement God’s truth in the minds of our kids, but to help our kids see its beauty as it sinks down into their hearts. May we help provide the weapon our kids need to combat temptation—the gospel—for their good and God’s glory.
Unbelief, just like Satan, will always take the easy way out. It will tell us to eat the fruit in exchange for knowledge, instead of fearing God to gain real wisdom. Unbelief will unravel our perceptions of both suffering and the blessedness of life and beckon us to skip self-denial at all costs with the faux promises of comfort that can’t extend beyond the grave.” — Jackie Hill Perry
Jackie Hill Perry, Gay Girl, Good God (Nashville, TN: B&H, 2018), 171.
Podcast (kidsleadertraining): Play in new window | Download
