Why Do Bad Things Look So Good?
June 2, 2003
Have you ever wondered, "Why do bad things
sometimes look so good?" While there are numerous reasons none
is more important than the fact that evil spiritual forces in
the universe have the power to give off limit experiences a
glitter that attracts.
Satan is evil, and he will use any means he can to
bring us under his power. When we're devoted to someone or
something other than God--a habitually sinful attitude or
action--we're involved in idolatry and under the devil's dark
shadow. If that seems extreme it may be because we fail to
recognize that an idol is anything or anyone we trust, besides
God, to meet our deepest needs. The apostle Paul had no
misgivings about identifying the spiritual forces behind idols.
He warns Christians in 1 Corinthians 10 about the dangers of
evil cravings, and declares that people who offer sacrifices to
idols are sacrificing to demons (1 Cor. 10:18-20).
Since Satan has the power to glamorize evil
objects and activities, making them attractive to the dark side
of our personality (our flesh), we might feel justified in
blaming him for our sinful behavior. It's sometimes easy for us
to say with comedian Flip Wilson, "De Devil made me do it."
Actually, Wilson's line wasn't original. Adam and
Eve tried a similar approach when God confronted them with their
sin. Adam blamed Eve, and Eve blamed the serpent (Genesis
3:12-13). But God didn't buy it. He held Adam and Eve
responsible for their actions.
While we can't blame Satan for our choices, we
need to realize he does tempt us to make bad ones. And we must
follow Peter's advice when he said, "Be self-controlled and
alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion
looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the
faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world
are undergoing the same kind of sufferings" (1 Peter 5:8-9).
As a spiritual warrior try to make each of these
attitudes and actions a part of your routine: 1) Exercise
self-control; 2) Be alert--keep your eyes open for an unexpected
temptation so you can avoid it; 3) Resist the devil by standing
firm in Christ. Remember, the enemy doesn't fear you, he fears
your God.
Just because bad things look good we don't have to
indulge ourselves in them. This week let's choose to let Christ
live his life through us.
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