This past summer, while on vacation with my family, we had an opportunity to visit an aquarium and see all the different types of oceanic creatures and marine life. I was especially intrigued by a jellyfish as it was displaying its range of beautiful blue colors. I was told by our tour guide that jellyfish, whether in or out of the ocean, are very dangerous and its tentacles contain poison that paralyze its victim. When the jellyfish is in the ocean, it is translucent- blending in with its environment. It is lovely and graceful, and you would not realize the danger it possesses until you are stung with its almost invisible tentacles. This jellyfish reminds me of Satan, for he can offer himself, looking lovely and inviting, and he can tempt us in very subtle ways. The Apostle Paul reminds us of this truth, and he admonishes us to be on guard, “in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.” (2 Corinthians 2:11) Satan is deceptive and cunning, alluring us and beckoning us daily. His tentacles of greed, lust, selfishness and other temptations can reach out and grab us- infecting us with his poisonous sting -- either in or out of his comfortable environment. This is why we must hear the words in James 4:7 which tell us, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” We must defy temptation by praying for strength to resist and by saying "no" when we are tempted. A temptation does not turn into a sin until we give in to it. So let us beware of the enemy of our souls “and do not give the devil an opportunity.” (Ephesians 4:27) Just like the tentacles of the jellyfish, sin can sting us because it is presented in such an appealing manner. It often offers a quick route to financial gains or social acceptance; or, it may also masquerade as love or give a false feeling of security. Sometimes sin will invade our lives when we are unaware-but most often it knocks on our door tempting us with delights. Sin prevents us from serving God effectively, and can harden our hearts toward things of righteousness. Our sins were nailed to the cross with Jesus, but temptation is not erased from our lives when we become Christians. So remember that Satan is seeking to steal, kill and destroy and he can and will deceive us in order to cause us to stumble. Pray for God’s strength and you will be able to win out over the devil.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
The Jellyfish
This past summer, while on vacation with my family, we had an opportunity to visit an aquarium and see all the different types of oceanic creatures and marine life. I was especially intrigued by a jellyfish as it was displaying its range of beautiful blue colors. I was told by our tour guide that jellyfish, whether in or out of the ocean, are very dangerous and its tentacles contain poison that paralyze its victim. When the jellyfish is in the ocean, it is translucent- blending in with its environment. It is lovely and graceful, and you would not realize the danger it possesses until you are stung with its almost invisible tentacles. This jellyfish reminds me of Satan, for he can offer himself, looking lovely and inviting, and he can tempt us in very subtle ways. The Apostle Paul reminds us of this truth, and he admonishes us to be on guard, “in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.” (2 Corinthians 2:11) Satan is deceptive and cunning, alluring us and beckoning us daily. His tentacles of greed, lust, selfishness and other temptations can reach out and grab us- infecting us with his poisonous sting -- either in or out of his comfortable environment. This is why we must hear the words in James 4:7 which tell us, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” We must defy temptation by praying for strength to resist and by saying "no" when we are tempted. A temptation does not turn into a sin until we give in to it. So let us beware of the enemy of our souls “and do not give the devil an opportunity.” (Ephesians 4:27) Just like the tentacles of the jellyfish, sin can sting us because it is presented in such an appealing manner. It often offers a quick route to financial gains or social acceptance; or, it may also masquerade as love or give a false feeling of security. Sometimes sin will invade our lives when we are unaware-but most often it knocks on our door tempting us with delights. Sin prevents us from serving God effectively, and can harden our hearts toward things of righteousness. Our sins were nailed to the cross with Jesus, but temptation is not erased from our lives when we become Christians. So remember that Satan is seeking to steal, kill and destroy and he can and will deceive us in order to cause us to stumble. Pray for God’s strength and you will be able to win out over the devil.
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