Sin and Temptation: Week 3, Day 3

Scripture

Day 3: Public Enemy #1

Satan got together with his chief demon lieutenants to figure out a game plan to stop mankind from asking Jesus into their lives. It seems that he was losing ground and getting nervous. I wonder how long it has been since Satan felt like he has lost ground in your school, church, or home.

The first demon lieutenant came up to Satan and said, “I have a wonderful plan that will stop mankind from trusting Jesus as the leader and forgiver of their life.” “And what is that,” shouted Satan. “Well, we’ll tell mankind that you don’t exist. We will tell them that you are a fairy tale like the Easter Bunny or Santa Claus. In fact, we’ll make you look like a cartoon character with a pitchfork and horns dressed in a red jumpsuit. No one will take you seriously. What do you say?” “You fool! That will never work. Look at all the evil in the world. Do you honestly think no one will suspect that someone or something is behind all that? Your plan will never work. I need a better plan.”

The second demon lieutenant stepped forward and said, “I think I have a plan that will work. We’ll tell the people that not only do you not exist but that Hell doesn’t exist either. I mean, would a good and loving God sends someone to Hell? No way Ha, ha, ha!” “You fool!” Satan screamed, “That will never work. Everyone knows God doesn’t send people to Hell. People choose to go to Hell. Not only that, but how would we explain why God sent His only Son into the world to die on a cross for people’s sins to save them from Hell. That will never work. I need a better plan.”

The final chief demon lieutenant came forward and said, “I’m not sure if this will work, but I too have a plan. What if we tell the people that you exist, and we tell them Hell exists as well. In fact, we’ll tell them that Jesus is the Son of God and that He died for their sins and rose again from the dead. We’ll even tell them if they give their lives to Jesus, they will go to Heaven. We’ll tell them the whole truth about Jesus, and then we’ll tell them they have time to put off asking Him into their lives. You know you’re young, you have your whole life in front of you. Don’t let God cramp your style. You can make that decision to follow Him later in life. Like on your deathbed. You don’t want God taking away all your fun, do you? What do you think?”

Satan sat back in his high back chair and contemplated for a few moments. “Time….time….yes, that will work. Time to get serious about God, time to get your life in order. Time, you have plenty of time. That plan will most definitely work. Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Satan is the master of deception. If he can’t make you bad, he’ll make you busy. When you decide to get your life worked out, he is there telling you that you have time for that serious stuff later on. The trap is enticing. He knows the longer you put off getting serious with Jesus, the less likely you ever will. That’s the way it is in our society. If a student doesn’t ask Jesus Christ into their life by age 18, there is an 85% that that person never will. Satan knows the longer you wait, the greater the odds are against you.

You need to understand something today and keep this in the back of your mind from now on. Satan is a liar. He whispers in your ears the things you want to hear, but in the end, the things he tells you only ruin your life. He is in the business of using people, devouring them slowly, and watching them spiritually die in agonizing pain.

Draw near to God today, and don’t put off getting serious about your relationship with God.

Time Out:

According to James 4:13-14, how long is a person’s life? Write your answer here.

According to Psalms 39:4-7, how long is a person’s life? Write your answer here.

If our lives are as short as the Bible says, then why don’t we make the most of every day for the kingdom of God? Write your answer here.

In your short years on this earth, how much time have you spent doing the following:

Going to school

Watching TV

Going to the bathroom

Getting ready for the day or a date

Spending time with God

Sharing Jesus with a friend Write your answer here.

Most of our lives are spent doing things that have no eternal significance. Don’t waste your life. Make the most of every day for the kingdom of God. Ask the Lord what it is He has for you to do for Him today? Write your answer here.