Ooh La La

I went to the Miami Boat Show yesterday and it was quite an event. It was about 85 degrees and most of the people in attendance were appropriately dressed for the tropical weather. I saw one gal in particular who was dressed “just right” for the weather. She had long legs, long blonde hair, deep tan, and lovely smile. She had on very short, short, short-shorts that were so tight they looked like they were air brush painted, and it was complemented by a very loose fitting sheer halter top that was held together with a prayer and tiny string. It was completely open in the back and left little to nothing to the imagination as she swayed back and forth in what I would describe as a “runway” walk complete with high heels. She glided through the show turning heads left and right.

It was a complete disgrace for her to dress like that. It was disgusting and sad. In fact I was so appalled by it all that I only followed her for a mile or so. I would probably still be following her like a lemming going out to sea if my wife had not finally noticed what I was doing and begun beating me about the head, shoulders, and arms, muttering that I was a dirty old man or something to that effect.

The Bible has much to say about temptation. One thing sure we are going to be tempted and satan knows our weaknesses far better than we do. How do we withstand temptation? First we need to understand that the Bible plainly states that the Lord does not tempt us nor can He be tempted. All temptation comes from satan. For whatever purpose God does allow us to be tempted. We are however assured by the Bible that no person is ever tempted beyond their ability to withstand it and that God always provides an escape route. We are told to look for it and take advantage of it.

Sometimes God not only provides a means of escape, but He employs others to help us along. I was not particularly looking to my wife as a means of escape from lustful thoughts, but when she began to beat me about the head, it had the same effect. I know a man who is a hopeless alcoholic who would no doubt be dead right now had his family not intervened and had him committed to an institution, and got him the help that he so desperately needed. Today he is sober and has been so for years; however he still regularly attends Alcoholics Anonymous. He told me that even though he has been sober now for years, he still wants to drink every day and needs the support provided by this fine organization to withstand the tremendous temptation. I believe with all of my heart that this organization and others like Narcotics Anonymous, Gamblers Anonymous, and others serve God’s purpose in that regard.

When tempted we should first understand where it is coming from, and that would be satan, which means it is evil. Second we should look for our avenue of escape provided by the Lord knowing that it is available. Third we should take advantage of it. (For example when my wife began to beat me about the head, I could have just clenched my teeth and partially closed my eyes and endured her flailing and kept following this “lovely girl from Ipanema” but instead I immediately came to my senses and instead stopped following her and went and looked at boats like a good boy.)

I have made light of this serious subject, but I would like to say that lives are literally being ruined by temptation including pornography, drugs, alcohol, gossip, immorality, temper, lying, cheating, love of money, power, to name a few. Jesus was tempted and withstood all that satan had to offer. He is the only one that ever did so. If you fail, remember Jesus forgives sin. That does not give us a license and free reign to do as we please, but it does mean that Jesus who was tempted far beyond what we have been tempted understands. If on occasion we falter, we must be willing to repent or turn from our sins and ask His forgiveness and try our utmost to sin no more and we are assured that He will forgive us our trespasses. (Amazing grace!)

Finally remember not to put yourself in a position whereby you will be tempted in the first place. If you are an alcoholic, don’t visit bars and nightclubs; if you have a problem with lust, don’t go to strip clubs; if you have a problem with gossip, don’t hang out with women; etc.


1 Cor. 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to
man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted
beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide
the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.