Everyone falls for bad guy

We see him, the rebel, the forbidden temptation, complete with dreamy bedroom eyes, tousled hair and a certain taboo nonconformity, brooding in a dark corner; we’re smitten.

There’s something alluring, dangerous and promising about the bad guy, isn’t there? Its intoxicating argument of an exciting, romantic and perfect life, however that’s defined, leads us into taking the bad guy up on his offer. We make some choices- and, let’s face it, they’re not exactly great choices for us, are they?

I’m not talking about the boyfriend on the motorcycle, the latest “it boy” celebrity or even the famous rebel, himself, James Dean. No.

I’m talking about Sin.

Have you been properly introduced? I bet you have been.

Sin is irresistible. It promises us the world, whatever that world means to us. Yet it fails to deliver. And it’s not like we haven’t been warned. It’s just like our mothers or our girlfriends, trying to get our attention about “that boy” with the bad reputation.

Scripture, itself, likewise, also tries to caution us:

“Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. ¹⁴ But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. ¹⁵ Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. ¹⁶ Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.”

James 1:13-16

But it’s still so appealing. It looks good; it sounds good. We’ll be happy, only if we take a chance on this opportunity set before us. Besides, we reason, we can “change him,” right?

Stop laughing. You’ve thought it and said it too at some point.

But that’s the seductive power of sin. It made the apple look delectable. It makes the bad choice look like the answer. There’s nothing new under the sun about anything we choose to be that “end all, be all” thing for us. Evil is still the core of it all. Temptation is the vehicle used. And guess who is doing the driving?

“And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.”

2 Corinthians 11:14

Nothing new. It can look attractive, beautiful, sexy, decadent, promising, comforting, validating or even good, possibly holy.

But, really, do we test its spirit?

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.”

1 John 4:1-3

Is it “too good to be true?” Do we poke under the hood and look around a bit?

What is “it,” really?

Are we falling for the “bad guy?”

It’s not to be hopeless and negative; it is about being realistic- and empowered in the process.

And let’s not forget a very big element IN that process: God.

“Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”

1 John 4:4

We don’t have to fall for every sin, every kind of bad guy which crosses our paths. We can, with God’s help, see him for who/what he is. And we can stand, in God, instead of falling for everything self-destructive. It is possible, even if it’s imperfect, via our human condition.

So, let’s not fall for that bad guy; God, after all, IS the ultimate “Good Guy.”

Copyright © 2018 by Sheryle Cruse