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I’ve noticed that in any contract, the large print giveth and the small print taketh away.
Pastor and Author, Warren Wiersbe
Warren Wiersbe said that at a Pastor’s Conference many years ago.
It’s funny because it’s true.
And it’s just as true today about the lies Satan tells us when he dangles temptation in our faces.
Every temptation is in the BIGGEST BOLDEST PRINT.
Every consequence is in the smallest print and buried on the back of the last page way down at the bottom.
Satan is the original One-Trick-Pony.
He has one strategy designed to attack our thoughts.
Just one.
To get you and me to believe a lie.
Read Genesis 3:1-7 if you think I’ve oversimplified this.
He brings down our entire species with a lie.
You don’t need any theological training to spot his modus operandi.
Tell Eve a WHOPPER.
Remove any negative consequences for her.
Promise her the moon.
Get Madison Avenue to design the pitch.
HERE’S THE ANATOMY OF A LIE:
-
It questions what God has said
It contradicts truth directly and boldly
It insinuate that God is withholding something really good
It promises a desirable outcome in the most self-satisfying terms
It bonds with our human inclination toward sin and draws strength from our doubts about the love and wisdom of God for us and our lives.
The problem is that the downside is hidden.
It’s eclipsed by the hype of how good the desired thing will be.
For instance, Satan never leads with the relationship damage done when we’re selfish.
That’s not where he wants our focus.
Do you always have to choose the TV show or movie? How about how the money is spent or where the family goes on vacation? Sharing household chores? Childcare?
God tells us to put others above ourselves.
I find that a constant challenge.
How about you?
And the irony is that we’re often impatient, selfish, or inattentive with those closest to us.
I will try to walk a blameless path, but how I need your help, especially in my own home, where I long to act as I should. Psalm 101:2 TLB
Sure, sometimes people face huge temptations to horrific sin.
The kind that shipwreck lives.
But, most of the time we’re tempted to put ourselves first.
That’s what does the most damage to our relationships, our family, our friends, our co-workers, and our brothers and sisters at church.
Little by little, without an awareness of the consequences, we get sucked in by the BOLD PRINT of the lie.
God wants us to live in His love and to give our lives away for others.
Let’s start making decisions based on that.
Let’s start at home 😉
This post grew out of an awareness that my husband was getting short shrift in the evenings as I blogged.
That stops now.
Is there an area of your life God is speaking to you about?
Read the small print.
Awesome post and filled to the brim with pearls of wisdom! Thank you, thank you, thank you
Thanks Lionel. Pearls are my favorites 😉
Great post
Hello, thanks for the encouragement! You have a great blog name and mission. God bless 😉
Thank you, and thanks for reading.
This blog is a new venture for me and, I belive, a calling.
Hope all goes well with it and it’s in accordance with God’s plan.
Excellent analogy. Love the words and the formatting that proves it.
Thanks Mark. Wiersbe is excellent at constructing word pictures of Scriptural principles.
The visual presentation of this post is excellent. I hope that “blogging” doesn’t stop. I do most of my writing very early in the morning, when I don’t think my presence is missed 🙂
Good tip Dan, I’m flipping my schedule to find time when I won’t be missed. Counting my blessings that after 30 years together my husband still enjoys my company 😉
Well done Kelly. That is true wisdom and better yet life changing character traits. Thank you for sharing .
You’re welcome Tom. God gives us true wisdom to help us live well and cherish our relationships.
hmmmmm, much to contemplate
😉 Is that a good thing?
Yes there is. It is easy to see the hand of the devil in the world around us… I get tired of it.
Sadly that’s true John. Don’t let it get you down brother. He’s a defeated foe!
This is a masterpiece! I’m going to RB it today…(did you ever find out about “bitcoins?”)
Steve 🙂
Hi Steve, I did. After I thought about it I realized I’d heard about it in Africa. Digital currency is a safer way to transfer money there.
I wanted to tell you that I really appreciate your award nomination. I’ve prayed about it and I don’t think it’s for me right now. I’m honored and humbled though Steve. God bless you as you spread light and salt here on WP 😉
That’s fine, Kelly. Truthfully, many of the Christian/spiritual writers don’t accept blog awards.
I perfectly understand…just wanted you to know how much I appreciate your contributions!
Steve 🙂
Reblogged this on "light and salt" and commented:
Better read the fine print!
Getting what you think has been withheld, the promise of a desirable outcome -those are big temptations.
Amen. I think acceptance of what God allows in my life and relinquishing what He withholds have been the toughest lessons of my Christian experience. I’m never disappointed when I trust myself to His love.