Living On The Edge

Lead us not into temptation…

One of the hopeful benefits of aging is perhaps we will grow wiser, learn from others or our own mistakes. Now that I am older, I often weigh things out more carefully, making use of the pro versus con process about decisions. I try to make choices that present themselves along life paths, praying carefully, attempting to avoid detours or hazards that can result in lost time or energy or worse hurt others or myself. This perspective is counter culture to the thinking I am often surrounded with and influenced by more than I am willing to admit most of the time. Way back in the recesses of my mind is a low mocking but inviting voice. It is telling me to take more risks, throw caution to the wind, and constantly reminding me, ‘after all, I only live once.’ The voice also chimes in to cue me about how restrictive and illogical the rules can be, as well nostalgically conjuring up visions of what fun I have already missed out on if I had only taken more chances. While there are what I refer to as some cobwebs of truth in these musings, often they represent the more self-indulgent, deceptive side of my human thinking. The thinking that tries to eliminate God and His ideas and totally embrace what seems good, what feels good, in the here and now. This part of my soul caters to the excitement of enticing choice while all the while it has abandoned any sense of depth perception associated with living on the edge. The part I have come to know from personal experience. Downfall.

The spiritual word for downfall is SIN. This was not a politically correct word in 2020. It has been placed in the outdated glossary of modern-day media and culture due to its nature of discrimination. However, it occurs in the bible over 400 times. Sin discriminates right from wrong in a world where we are being encouraged to do what we want. This message evolved from doing what we want as long as we don’t hurt anybody and has progressed into the idea well if the cause is justified, we can do what we want even if it hurts others.After all, we are a race of humans that has become over versed and protective of our rights.

The word SIN implicates there is a cost with choice and it indicates a spirit of entitlement. All these characteristics of SIN have offended selfish, carnal minds with personal agendas of pleasure and self-indulgence, Therefore, the word SIN is judgmental and not nearly as sensitive and inclusive as it should be. It doesn’t respect the stance of living on the edge. It reminds us there is a consequence to wrongdoing and the drop off the edge can be painful.

But Jesus addressed living on the edge in His model prayer. I love that the prayer itself is progressive. It starts at the top reminding us of our heavenly Father who dwells in a celestial realm with a hallowed name. It works its way down to daily life on earth, revealing we have a need for sustenance. Further, the prayer leads us to remind ourselves we stand in need of forgiveness and now widens our view to encompass others that need forgiveness as well. Now, Jesus instructs us to pray and ask the Father to lead us away from temptation. This is a reminder that I am a sinner and capable of not only living on the edge of rebellion and bad choice(sin) but actually falling over the cliff into succumbing to temptation. Sometimes consciously and sometimes unconsciously. Jesus doesn’t tell us in this prayer to walk away from it, He instructs us to ask for leadership. This reminds me; God is the only righteous judge of right and wrong, and He knows temptation leads to sin.

Sin leads to loss, heartbreak and death. God knows where to lead us where we can have success in overcoming things that will tempt us. God can lead us to make good choices that will honor Him and bless and prosper us. To be tempted is not to sin. Even Jesus was tempted. It’s the response to temptation. My interpretation in my life is like this: God knows where the edge is, He knows where I am, and He can lead me away from it safely and securely. It is possible for me to avoid downfalls if I lean into His leadership. I am a free moral agent and have been given the powerful responsibility to choose.

To do as I suggested and get wiser as I age, I must be honest in my prayer closet with God about the things that I am tempted by. I think when we think of temptation we picture Las Vegas, diamonds, money, bling, etc., etc. Not that there aren’t certain subtle attractions to things like adventure, more wealth, nice things but some of the tempters that cause my downfall are issues like worry and control, anger and doubt, my own will versus God’s plan, gossip, not taking care of my health. The list is big. The great thing is the more I follow God and His leadership, the more I trust Him, and when the Spirit prompts me that I am getting too close to the edge, I’m getting better at turning away more quickly, instead of going to the edge and peering over. This is a problem for all of us.

If you are skeptical, consider Eve, She got a little too edgy in the garden, spent too much time with the serpent, waited a little too long and let her desire and want dictate her choice as opposed to Gods words that cautioned her where her limits were. Or King David, too close on the edge of the roof watching a bathing beauty. Physically David didn’t fall off the roof that day, but he sure did experience a downfall that impacted the quality of his earthly life as long as he lived. Or consider Peter; his downfall was fear and being associated with Jesus after Christs’ arrest. Peter gave in not once but three times to temptation to save his own hide and denied even knowing Jesus. I see myself in all these people and understand sin has a hold on me, and temptation is the engraved invitation that comes addressed to me on a regular basis. My body and soul all too often wants to RSVP. God has given me a new heart, and His indwelling spirit to help me decline the offer to participate at these events that the enemy sponsors. I am reminded it is crucial to understand sin usually feels good and is rewarding for a season.

It’s easy to see retrospectively how these folks could have been led away from temptation. After all choice always looks simpler, easier, and the edge looks clearer in my rear view mirror of life. But Jesus’ words were given to me about what the road looks like through my windshield of life. “Lead us not into temptation.” Today, I can release where I have been, I don’t have to choose to live on the edge, always in fear of the fall. I can say no to the inner voice calling me to climb to heights of temporary excitement that I am not destined for that for a moment will bring pleasure and the applause of men. I can follow Christ confidently claiming these words from one of my favorite scriptures.