I just stumbled across this animated commercial that made me think. In the marketing & advertising business it's often said that "perception is reality" for the person who views your advertising message. It does not matter whether the audience believes the message to be true, only that they perceive it to be true. Their actions will be the same whether they believe it or only perceive it. Often times companies prey on consumers by advertising falsely and telling half truths (which are whole lies btw) in order to make the sale. In sales we call this the "bait and switch".
The enemy of our souls is very good at this. Satan constantly presents us with lies in hopes that we perceive them as truth, and consequently fall into sin. Once we do this it's not long before you get dropped like a bad habit or hot potato and are left to reap the fruit of the bad decision(s) sown.
The most common reaction to the tempation to sin is looking for a way around the situation.
Thoughts like "but I have to feed my family" and/or "the Bible doesnt explicitly say do/don't _____" begin to loom. Or how about this one: "Nobodies looking, I just want to see why everyone on the internet keeps talking about this video, I'll turn it off it gets too bad"
Instead of fleeing our lusts & immorality; pursuing righteousness (I Cor. 6:18; II Timothy 2:22), and resisting the devil (James 4:7) --- some of us often dive in head first because "we all fall short". Ehhhhh.... not like that we don't!
This is not the way it is meant to be for the Christian.
1 Peter 5: 8-9 says
Be sober-minded;be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith...
So the next time there's the temptation to sin, first consider this.
Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. [1 Cor. 12-13]
8 comments:
To all who follow this blog. I realize that I deviated form the plan of posting blogs on our DWYL study. There was a change of plans and we're starting our group study sooner than we'd thought so bear with me. I'm still going to be sharing my heart during the course of it... but wifey and I decided to stop and wait for our brothers and sisters who are joining us.
grace and peace
Very good post and video. I would like to begin to post your blog on my church's facebook account for all to read and create some type of dialogue on there also. Do you know how I could do that?
What is the DWYL Study??
Powerful.
The Devil does feed us 'perception' as truth... puts us in a dirty glass house and convinces us that this is all there is to know...
But praise God for the Glass-Breaker!!.. The Truth, who sets us free!
Adam,
Sure I'll send you an email on "how to".
DWYL (Don't Waste Your Life)
Pure.Holy.Salted.,
"Praise God for the Glass Breaker"
Amen to that. So you know that one of FLAME's videos huh? He has a lot of cool things on his website. I was pretty impresssed with how intentional he is with his ministry/disciple making efforts. Check it out when you get a chance. www.Flame314.com
grace and peace
Oh...the oldest trick in the book still works. The old bait and switcheroo! Man the craziest part about it is, there is ALWAYS fine print!! We just over look it for the instant gratification it brings.
Thank you Lord for freedom!
I-I-I-I I'm free from sin.... I-I-I-I I win,I win!!!
I-I-I-I I'm free I'm free and no more chains are holdin me!!
Oh, yeah, the Bait and switch still works. . . unfortunately. God have mercy on me to see the evil that sin is as well as the viral effect sin has on the lives of the people around me. I don't want to satisfy the flesh only to reap death. Peace
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