No one undergoing a trial should say, “I am being tempted by God.” For God is not tempted by evil, and He Himself doesn’t tempt anyone. But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desires. James 1:13, 14 HCSB
Don’t blame God for the mess you find yourself in. It is easy sometimes to rationalize our sin by saying, “God wouldn’t have put me in that position if it wasn’t ok,” or better yet, just saying, “The devil made me do it.” The truth is, God does not tempt you nor does the devil make you do anything that you do not willingly agree to participate in.
Today’s verse is especially significant for sportsman. The term “drawn away” in the original language is a hunting term. It means to be pulled into an ambush by one’s desire for food or satisfaction just as is the case in places where baiting game is legal, such as with bears or deer, or in placing decoys for waterfowl. The term “enticed” comes from the original language and means to be lured in as with a fish. Something shiny and colorful is placed in the water at the right time and place so that a passing fish cannot ignore it; they are enticed and they have to bite it. In either case, the animal or the fish have a choice. They do not have to take the bait but they do because their desire for what looks good at the moment overrides any thought as to what it might mean for their future. It is in their nature to want to have what looks good. They simply live for the moment. Very often, we do too and we have no one to blame but ourselves.
I Corinthians 10:13 tells us, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful, and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape so that you are able to bear it.” See, you are not alone. Temptation is common to all men. The good news is God will not allow you to face any situation you do not have the ability to handle and He is always going to give you a way of escape. This could mean saying no, turning away, shutting off the computer, or walking out the door. In the end, avoiding sin has more to do with our ability to see past the immediate satisfaction to the future consequences than it does finding a way of escape. Despite what our desire may be, there is always a way out.
We could take some cues from the wildlife we hunt and fish. Despite our best efforts to lure them in, eventually they wise up part way through the season. Birds have seen every decoy, every set up, every spinner, and have heard all the calls. After they have been shot at for a while, and seen many of their flock fall from the sky, they get smart. So do deer. After the shooting starts their behavior changes and what might have looked enticing earlier in the season is now a warning sign. Even fish get smart to different types of lures and bait and will eventually quit biting as they understand the potential consequence. And turkeys? They probably wise up faster than any other animal in the woods!
Sin is in our nature. We cannot escape that fact. Still, how we respond to tempting is very much in our control. We have all felt the consequence of our sinful actions from time to time. We have all seen the devastation of sin in the lives of others and those they hurt. How many times do we need to see the effects of sin in our lives and those of others, not unlike a bird falling from the sky or a turkey losing its head, before we wise up? What is it going to take for you to look for a way out, to understand the consequence, instead of becoming preoccupied with the immediate satisfaction or pleasure from your actions?
Remember there is always an escape. Keep your head and look for a way out before you find yourself wrapped in bacon and served with a side of wild rice. You can learn a lot from a dead duck.
See you in the backcountry.
