“Each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” James 1:14-15
The fella standing there in front of me was a sight. His back and rear end were a little torn up from his pride being dragged off to where he hadn’t intended, or wanted, to go. But that wasn’t the ugliest part. It was the face that told the story. Downcast, sad, embarrassed and somewhat ashamed…I just looked away from the mirror. Because the fella… was me!
I had just praised my wife this Sunday and here today, Monday, I had gotten ugly after the 2nd event within the same day. Going to get a shovel I grabbed it, and a whole bunch of other tools fell into my face. ‘I’ hadn’t put them there that way. My wife’s desire to keep things orderly had. In anger I yelled… ‘’quit moving MY STUFF!” And just the by way it came out… I KNEW I had blown it.
Last night I grabbed my electric toothbrush. After butterin’ it up with toothpaste, I stuck it against my teeth, hit the button and… nothin’! I followed the charging wire with my eyes to see its plug…below the outlet. Her hair dryer had taken its place. At least last night I didn’t SAY anything. But desire WANTED to!
Human desire exists for itself alone. It wants what it wants without rules, reason or etiquette. And I have learned that ‘desire’ is one of the devil’s favorite playgrounds because, he LOVES playing the long game. Like a snake, selfish desire can strike without even being seen. And USUALLY with something stupid or incidental as a trigger. Now I was embarrassed…again!
It seems like a minor thing. I didn’t get awful and punch her or anything. I mean, no police had to be called. But the results were the same. It was a double whammy as BOTH of us had fallen victim to human desire demanding its rights!
Forrest Gump said, “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what your gonna get.” Unfortunately, God would disagree on this one. His LOVING response to my ridiculous outburst could EASILY have been, “I told you so!” HE gently led me to today’s Bible verse as the reminder. And reminded me that the victim of evil desire is NEVER supposed to be the same guy that uses the toothbrush…or shovel!
