“By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.” (Hebrews 11:24-25) Everything in life is a trade off. We all get twenty-four hours each day and we get to decide what we are going to do with them. Some choose the pleasures of sin that this world has to offer, others choose to walk by faith with Christ. After more than thirty years of Christian ministry, I’ve seen both.
There are a lot of different names for Satan in the Bible. He is called a deceiver, schemer and the destroyer. I think he could also be called a painter. He has the ability to paint pictures of false hope in the minds of people in order to make them think they will get by with rebellion to God. I’ve watched him paint many pictures to entice and hinder men and women from following Christ. He is a master painter!
I remember seeing a billboard from many years ago. It was a lady dressed in an elegant black gown. She was the epitome of beauty with her expensive jewelry and clothing. Nice looking men were standing around her and gawking at her charm and beauty. In her hand was a Bacardi Rum. She was the life of the party and fun times were at her doorsteps. The advertisement was silently promising popularity to those who drank their rum.
One thing was missing. The billboard did not show what she would look like the next morning as she staggered from the bed of a one night stand and was feeling the loss of her dignity and respect. No bar of soap was available to wash her conscience clean from the sense of violation and shame she felt as she looked into the mirror. With her makeup smeared and her heart downcast, she was no longer the life of the party—only its victim. She sold her soul for popularity and the price was greater than imagined.
Satan paints lies—lies about consequences, shame, guilt and reputation. He offers the tasty carrot of sin in order to hide his traps and destruction. He convinces men and women that the pleasure of sin is what life is all about. He makes fools out of us.
I remember hearing George Beverly Shea sing, “I’d Rather Have Jesus” during Billy Graham crusades. It really is that simple. We choose to love God and His ways, or fall for the pleasures of sin and pay the price. Many of us, including myself, have tasted the foolishness of sin and the hollow promises it makes. However, when the love of God that is in Christ Jesus invaded our hearts, we began to understand. Now, with joy and thanksgiving we joyfully join in the chorus of the redeemed and sing…I’d Rather Have Jesus!
