There’s something alluring, dangerous and promising about the bad guy, isn’t there? Its intoxicating argument of an exciting, romantic and perfect life, however that’s defined, leads us into taking the bad guy up on his offer. We make some choices- and, let’s face it, they’re not great choices for us, are they?
I’m not talking about the boyfriend on the motorcycle, the latest “it boy” celebrity or even the famous rebel, himself, James Dean. No.
I’m talking about Temptation.
Have you been properly introduced? I bet you have been.
It promises us the world, our version of the world. Yet it fails to deliver. And it’s not like we haven’t been warned. It’s just like our mothers or our girlfriends, trying to get our attention about “that boy” with the bad reputation.
Scripture, itself, likewise, also tries to caution us:
“Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by (The Most High) God;’ for (YAH) God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.”
James 1:13-16
But it’s still so appealing. It looks good; it sounds good. We’ll be happy, only if we take a chance on this opportunity set before us. Besides, we reason, we can “change him,” right?
Stop laughing. You’ve thought it and said it too at some point.
But that’s its seductive power. It made the apple look delectable. It makes the bad choice look like the answer. There’s nothing new under the sun about anything we choose to be that “end all, be all” thing for us. Temptation is the vehicle used.
Is it “too good to be true?” Do we poke under the hood and look around a bit?
What is “it,” really?
Are we falling for the “bad guy?”
It’s not to be hopeless and negative; it is about being realistic- and empowered in the process.
And let’s not forget a very big element IN that process: Our Heavenly Father.
“Ye are of (The Most High) God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.”
1 John 4:4
We don’t have to fall for every kind of bad guy which crosses our paths. We can, with Elohim’s help, see him for who/what he is. And we can stand, in YAH, instead. It is possible, even if it’s imperfect, via our human condition.
Copyright © 2025 by Sheryle Cruse
