Satan's Folly (For those in temptation)

Thanks to Max Lucado for this, a truly inspirational chapter that i felt urged to share.

We've all seen the hilarious scene before. A first-time soccer player on the field, by some fluke of a chance steals the ball away from the opposing team, dribbles with ease past two or so defenders, unleashes a 'killer shot', whips it into the goal. He does his celebration, all sorts, we'll leave that to your imagination, only to find in a moment, that rejoicing alongside him, are players from the opposite team. Own Goal. The embarassment, the shame, and the sheer folly of it all. It's disappointing, we all know that, to score an own goal.

Take a moment to think about this. Satan scores own goals all the time. How so you might ask? Think about it, all temptations result in folly for Satan. It's true. Let's think about this.

Say you get tempted. If you resist, that is Satan's folly, it builds you up in strength against him. But that's a straight-forward one. What if we fall for it? What if we fail to hold up against temptation - well I'm sure some of you (if not most) already have the answer in mind.

From past experience, I can safely say, that temptations and sin build you up. If it wasn't for my struggle in the past and that tussle in the past, I wouldn't know the depth of God's grace, the breath of His loving arms, and the great extent of mercy that He offers us everyday. If it wasn't for falling into the darkness, we wouldn't appreciate the light, and wouldn't see anything in that light. But it is precisely because we fall, and are picked up by God again, that we can grow closer in fellowship with Him.

Max also states this: that Satan is under the control of God. Satan is God's servant. Recall that Satan had to gain God's permission before he could tempt and afflict Job. Recall also that God will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear (1 Cor 10:13), and remember that everything was created for the glory of God - including Satan. As such, Satan is indeed evil, but it backfires ultimately, every time, and it only helps to build up the kingdom of God. Numerous examples in the bible - Daniel in the Lion's Den, Balaam's cursing of Israel, you name it.

Well isn't that why God allowed there to be evil in this world in the first place. He could have just intervened, but He didn't.

And with this in mind - knowing that temptations will only help us to grow in our faith, struggles will help us to grow closer to God - we can then face every temptation with more strength and confidence!

hope that's an encouragement to those out there...especially those tussling with temptation!