Scent of a Woman

Al Pacino played a very memorable character in the movie "Scent of a Woman". Perhaps I am dating myself slightly by mentioning this movie, but in the film a blind ex-military officer finds a reason to keep living in the friendship of a young college student. The college student with a blue collar heritage finds the courage to stand up in the face of adversity, peer pressure, and inequality at an ivy league school. The movie culminates into a courtroom style hearing where the young man is standing trial for not revealing the names of three pranksters who offended one of the schools officials. In the pivotal moment, Al Pacino's character speaks in defense of the young man's honor compared to his own saying, "Now, have come to the crossroads in my life. I always knew what the right path was. Without exception, I knew, but I never took it. You know why? It was too damned hard."


Most of the time we know what the right and wrong thing to do is, but as Pacino points out, taking the wrong path is so much easier. It's more comfortable or convenient at the time. It puts more money in your pocket. It keeps people from being angry at you. Sometimes, it keeps you from being hurt or even killed. I don't think anyone has any confusion as to why temptation is so hard to resist, but it is very important that we do.

Each step that we take away from God by giving into temptation adds a little bit more wickedness to our lives. Sometimes it is such a small amount that we don't even give it a second thought, but it adds up. In Matthew 24, Jesus answers his disciples questions about how they could recognize the end-times nearing, and he gives them a very clear picture of how this culminates into the destruction of the world as we know it.

"Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. " Matthew 24:12 -13

Stand firm - Sounds a lot like encouraging drug addicts to just quit, like telling the abused wife to just deal with it, like telling the unemployed father to just pull up his boot straps. It's harder than it sounds, but what's key in this passage is two things: First, this is the first speech where Jesus openly admits he is the Christ messiah that was prophesied. This isn't a conservative suburbanite showing up at a halfway house peddling sunshine and telling you to be strong. This is the savior of the world who died for our sins telling you not only will it be hard now, it's going to get worse. It's going to get worse, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel. The second thing this passage promises is that if you stand firm, you will be saved with an eternal existence in God's holy presence.

You've spent some time thinking about what tempts you and how it makes you feel. Now spend some time thinking about standing firm and what that will look like, what that will feel like, and how it will sound. When boxers have to face a tough opponent, they practice before hand. When a singer must perform in front of a large audience, she rehearses prior to the show. In your quiet time with the Lord, ask him to give you a clear picture of what standing firm will look like, and practice doing so. If you fail, treat it like any sin and confess it, ask forgiveness, and then accept that grace from your Father in heaven. Then, continue to work towards a firm stand against temptation by trusting in God and remembering that having the chance to be with him is why you're resisting temptation in the first place.

Todays Prayer:

Lord, God almighty, thank you for your Word. Let it speak to us, Father, and make our paths straight. Give us a clear map to follow to reach the destinations where You want us and then help us mirror Your glory for those we might help. Lord, help us to stand firm when confronted with temptation and give us the wisdom to recognize when those moments occur. Help us to rehearse these situations in Your presence so that we can make You proud when they happen. We love you, Father, and ask these things in the name of your son Jesus.

Amen.

Tempting Thought!

What are you tempted by? Do you know? You are tempted every single day to do something that isn't in your best interests, doesn't mirror God's glory, and often doesn't make you look like a good person to others and or to yourself. Maybe your temptation is as minor as having something sweet when you're trying to diet or as severe as stopping into the local bar before heading home to drink your problems away, knowing full well that it will result in another night of screaming at and hitting the people you love most.

Temptation has a simple definition, but means something different to each of us. Like the Greek hero Achilles, each of us has a unique set of weakness that Satan uses to drive a wedge between us and salvation. Many of our weaknesses are unique, too. What seems a trivial event for one man can lead another to ruin and debauchery. Things as simple as a cold beer at a backyard cookout or a $20 card game with co-workers on a Friday night can have completely different outcomes for two people based on the weaknesses they face in their personal journey.

At some point, we all give in to the temptation and fail to live up to God's expectations of us, too. Although often we recognize that what we're doing is a sin as we do it, there are times where we're tempted and don't even realize it because of attitudes, preconceptions, and biases that blind us from the danger of our actions. The old saying that the path to hell is paved with good intentions is right on the money, and I think everyone can give at least one example of a time they thought they were doing the right thing, but later found that wasn't the case.

I am going to spend the next few days exploring the topic of temptation, and as we enter into the weekend, I ask that you spend some time thinking about the temptations and weakness you are confronted with most often. You will have a much better chance of resisting temptation if you recognize it, and by searching your personal attitudes, your values, and the motivations behind your actions you will prepare yourself for the next encounter. A good way to start is to think of the things you often want to do, but that make you feel bad about yourself for doing them or have a negative outcome. Smoking is a good example. I don't think there is a smoker alive today that doesn't know the negative effects that nicotine and tar will have on their health. Take a minute to really understand why you are driven to do these things, why doing it makes you feel sadness or pain, and everyone who is impacted when you choose to give in to the temptation.

Even the best spiritual soil has temptation, and as you explore yours, remember what Paul points out in his first letter to the Corinthian church:

"God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. "
- 1 Corinthians 10:13

Whatever it is you're facing, you can beat it. What's more, you don't actually have to face it. You can just get away from it because God has given you a way out. You just have to look for it. Keep Paul's words close to your heart as you explore your personal temptations, and believe in yourself the way the Lord believes in you. You are strong because He is!

Today's Prayer:
Father, we thank you so much for Your faith in us, a faith that none of us deserves because we continually let You down. You are magnificent, Father; creator of the universe and source of all joy. We humbly ask that You forgive us for our failures, Lord, and help us to recognize our weaknesses so that we might better reflect the strength You have placed in us and inspire others to seek Your grace. All things are possible in You, Lord, and it is with You that we place our trust.

In the name of your son, Jesus, we give You praise and humbly ask You to light our way.

Amen.