The Chit Chat of Deception

When was the last time you wanted something so badly that you compromised good judgment to obtain it?  I don’t know about you, but when I feel I cannot live without something, I think about it constantly.  It doesn’t have to be anything big, it could be something insignificant.

When I was a young adult I thought if I bought the best water ski possible it might transfer its greatness to me and allow me to ski like never before, so I bought an expensive slalom.  It wasn’t just any ski; it was a top of the line professional.  I perceived it to be superior to all other brands and decided it was the only choice for me.

The problems I failed to take into consideration were these:  I had never used a slalom ski before, only doubles; I didn’t own a boat; I went water skiing, maybe, once or twice a year; and the ski had a very narrow skeg at the back.  A much wider one would have made more sense for a beginner, but I had to have the pro-ski instead.

The first and last time I tried using the slalom ended in frustration.  My attempts to get up on it were in vain.  The day ended in defeat.  “Why did I buy it in the first place?”  I questioned.  From that day until the day I got rid of it, it set in the corner of my bedroom gathering dust.  I looked at it occasionally and admired its brilliant colors and design, but there it stood, unusable.  

Had I given more thought before buying the ski I would have done things differently.  The glitter of the finish and the professional name that was embossed on the polished, brass plate beguiled me into spending my hard earned cash.  I just knew this beauty would make me the best skier in my group of friends; impressing the girls with my skills.  I was listening to the chit chat of my mind, while it deceived me into believing things that were not true.

Sin is like the ski.  If we listen to the chit chat in our mind telling us that it’s okay to indulge; it’s okay to misrepresent the truth, because no-one will find out, it leads to frustration and defeat.  When we focus on the desire rather than the end result it brings, cold reality slaps us in the face and says, “Why did I do it?”  Now we must suffer the consequences for our actions.

Temptation deceives.  When we allow deception to find lodging within us, sin is close behind.  Hearing the chit chat in our mind is not sin of itself, it becomes sin when we allow chit chat to deceive us into acting upon it.

If we fail and are deceived, the Bible says that we have an advocate with our Father in heaven; Jesus the Righteous.  He makes intersession to God on our behalf.  When we ask forgiveness we mature in Him.  The things we once did we no longer do.

God teaches us that when we fall into temptation we are to pick ourselves up, brush off the dust, and continue on our way serving the Lord.  God’s desire is that we learn by our mistakes and walk uprightly before Him.

I ended up giving the slalom to one of my friends and found another ski that suited my abilities.  God does the same for us.  He gives something better than what we give up.  He never short changes His children.  He gives them what they need, not something beyond their ability to handle.

Though the chit chat of deception can lead us astray, God’s grace is greater.  His words are wiser.  As we focus upon God’s blessings, the chit chat becomes less and less desirable to listen to.

Written by,

Papa Boyd