“By faith Moses… chose 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 how to spend them. Some choose the pleasures of sin that this world offers; 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, a schemer, and a destroyer. I think he could also be called a “painter.” He has the cunning ability to paint pictures of false hope, making us believe we can get by with rebellion against God. I’ve watched him paint many pictures to entice and hinder men and women from following Christ. He is a master painter, and his paintings can be magical, leading us to bitterness and unforgiveness.
I remember seeing a billboard years ago. It featured 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 glass of alcohol. She was the life of the party and fun times were at her doorsteps. The advertisement was silently promising popularity to those who would drink this famous brand of rum.
One thing was missing. The billboard did not reveal what the woman would look like the following morning as she staggered from the bed of a one-night stand while 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 feels as she looks 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 higher than imagined. Satan used her as the court jester in his painting.
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. He has made a fool out of me on more occasions than I care to count.
I remember George Beverly Shea singing, “I’d Rather Have Jesus,” during Billy Graham's 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 invades our hearts, we began to understand.
Billy Graham is with the Lord now, and so is Beverly Shae. Let us grab that old hymn and proclaim to the world… I’d Rather Have Jesus!
