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Hands on/hands off
'We are not ignorant of [Satan's] devices.' 2 Corinthians 2:11
OK guys and gals, wipe that fog from off your specs because today we're getting all steamy: we're looking at temptation. Our lesson: 'Hands on or hands off?' In the Bible we find these two approaches exemplified by Joseph and David. Israel's greatest king's attitude to temptation could be described as 'hands on'. You see David got the royal hots for somebody else's wife, Bathsheba. From the minute his wandering eye ran over every curve and bump on her body, he was in trouble.
He allowed his quickening pulse and the flutter in his stomach to do the reasoning. It was 'goodbye morals, hello king-sized bed'. David got his short-term fondle fix but ended up with a long-term heap of trouble (murder, bereavement - in fact things were never quite the same again). David just had to have his 'hands on' something he shouldn't.
The other tactic for temptation is the 'hands off' approach as demonstrated by Joseph. His stakes are upped because his temptress, Potiphar's wife, is deliberately flashing a bit of flesh, trying to seduce him. Joseph, however, keeps his 'hands off' and his godly character still intact.
When temptation comes your way (dodgy websites, spreading gossip, going too far with the opposite sex) will you have your hands on or hands off it? 'God will bless you, if you don't give up when your faith is being tested. He will reward you with a glorious life' (Jas 1:12 CEV).
written by Bob Gass
'We are not ignorant of [Satan's] devices.' 2 Corinthians 2:11
OK guys and gals, wipe that fog from off your specs because today we're getting all steamy: we're looking at temptation. Our lesson: 'Hands on or hands off?' In the Bible we find these two approaches exemplified by Joseph and David. Israel's greatest king's attitude to temptation could be described as 'hands on'. You see David got the royal hots for somebody else's wife, Bathsheba. From the minute his wandering eye ran over every curve and bump on her body, he was in trouble.
He allowed his quickening pulse and the flutter in his stomach to do the reasoning. It was 'goodbye morals, hello king-sized bed'. David got his short-term fondle fix but ended up with a long-term heap of trouble (murder, bereavement - in fact things were never quite the same again). David just had to have his 'hands on' something he shouldn't.
The other tactic for temptation is the 'hands off' approach as demonstrated by Joseph. His stakes are upped because his temptress, Potiphar's wife, is deliberately flashing a bit of flesh, trying to seduce him. Joseph, however, keeps his 'hands off' and his godly character still intact.
When temptation comes your way (dodgy websites, spreading gossip, going too far with the opposite sex) will you have your hands on or hands off it? 'God will bless you, if you don't give up when your faith is being tested. He will reward you with a glorious life' (Jas 1:12 CEV).
written by Bob Gass
