Preparing for Boredom: how to not give into temptations

“Idle hands are the devil’s workshop.”

Schools are finally letting out for the summer! It’s time for vacations, camps, trips and free time. For the past several months, many students couldn’t wait to throw off the daily grind of school’s routine and embrace the freedom of the summer months.

Yet having a defined routine is good. It keeps you consistent, focused and motivated. Stepping into summer break, many have no plans and no routine. It’s time to vacation from thinking, from planning and from routine.

I remember my teacher at Word of Life Bible Institute reminding us that a “vacation from school doesn’t mean a vacation from God.” He was encouraging us to prioritize our faith and use the free time wisely.

Why was he so urgent? Because experience had taught him that “idle hands are the devil’s workshop.” Boredom can breed discontentment and mischievousness. Temptation is magnified when you are alone and bored. What are you going to do when temptation comes in like a flood?

This week’s lesson is focusing on the importance of fighting off temptations. I thought it was appropriate for this week as many students are going on summer break and need to be reminded not to let their guard down.

For some students, getting ready for school also meant preparing to go into spiritual battle every day, as they recognize the spiritual needs of their schools. The feeling of excitement to have a summer where they can relax and let their guard down is intriguing. The problem is the enemy never rests. It is when we feel like we don’t have to prepare for battle that he attacks (Ephesians 6:12).

I hope to encourage the students to prepare for a summer of spiritual growth by helping them recognize a helpful process when facing temptation.

Recognize your weaknesses

We all have weaknesses. These are areas we struggle in more than others. Some struggle with money, power, lust, greed, envy, gossip, and so on. The important thing is to ask God to help you see and understand your weaknesses (Psalm 139:23-24). As you understand your weakness you can avoid things that will trigger temptation.

Understand that Sin is a Big Issue

The enemy wants you to think that sin isn’t a big deal. He wants you to believe that God wants to take all the fun away, or that it won’t hurt anyone so it’s ok. Or a popular statement today is, “God wants me to be happy doesn’t He?” The point of that question is that the person is trying to justify their wrong behavior.

The truth is, “yes, God does want you to be happy, that’s why He demands your holiness!” You see, the pursuit of holiness is removing all the things that truly make you unhappy in life, which is sin. The pursuit of holiness is pursuing God above all else.

Sin, on the other hand, will always leave you empty and lacking (Galatians 6:7-8). It drives a wedge between you and God. Always remember that sin cost Jesus His life on the cross. It’s a very big deal.

The Bible is Your Defense

When Jesus was taken into the wilderness and tempted, He defeated Satan by quoting the Bible. He knew and memorized the Bible and used it to overcome. How well do you know the Bible? Regular time reading the Word of God and memorizing it will prove to be the most rewarding thing you can do with your time. When you are studied up and equipped with memory verses, you will find that you are ready for battle when temptations strike.

I remember a season of reading the Bible where I felt like I was getting absolutely nothing out of the book of Jeremiah. I asked God to help me understand it, but every morning it was dull and boring for months it seemed. Than one day, I found myself quoting the words of Jeremiah that fit the occasion perfectly. God is always working in us even when we don’t feel it. The more time you spend it God’s Word the more He shapes you into the image of Christ.

Know how to Escape

One of my favorite verses on temptation is 1 Corinthians 10:13:

“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

It reminds us that we all face temptations and are not alone. The enemy likes to make you feel weird and unique in temptations. He wants you to isolate yourself from others and be afraid to talk about them. However, almost without fail, every time I open up to someone about a particular temptation, they show a sign of relief and freedom to share their own struggles.

Notice in the verse that God is the faithful one who will help you overcome temptation and if it is too great He will provide a way to escape it. You never have to give in to sin.

Sometimes temptation will come and you will need to stand strong, face it and overcome it. For instance, a group of friends starts gossiping about Jenny and you find a strong temptation to join in. Instead you stand up for Jenny and tell others they shouldn’t be talking about her behind her back.

However, there are times when temptation are too great and you have to run away. Think of Joseph in the Bible fleeing from Potiphar’s wife. Today it could be that you are at your friend’s house and he wants you to watch a porno video. Don’t try to prove you are strong enough to endure it, run away! Those images will stick with you forever.

If you know your weaknesses, understand that sin is a big deal, and know what God’s Word says, you will know how to escape temptation!

This summer, when you are bored and temptation begins to strike, remember these steps and ask God to give you the strength to overcome!

Let's Talk about 13 Reasons Why

Every so often a movie or TV show hits the scene that causes some controversy. From my perspective, most of the time that is a good thing. Not that the movie or TV show is necessarily a good or bad thing, but that it’s appearance brings about opportunity to talk about important topics.

Several years ago, The Da Vinci Code hit the movies. There was a lot of fear and anxiety that this movie would cause many to no longer believe in Jesus. It brought about an old argument that said Jesus had married Mary Magdalen and had children, and other myths. I thought it was a great opportunity to teach about church history, a topic that is seldom taught outside of Bible School.

This week I became aware of a new Netflix series that is very popular amongst teens today. Its called “13 Reasons Why” and it deals with the life a High School girl who completed suicide.  

Although this show is rated TV-MA (or basically rated R if it was a movie), I don’t want to get caught up in what rating is appropriate to watch. The reality of this show is that it hits to the core of the reality the students face in public schools across America.

In watching an episode, I was deeply saddened by the realization that what was being portrayed is not fiction, but in fact our kids are facing every day. The cyber bullying, the public shaming, the sexual pressures and the silence that follows. Students face so much pressure today in unique ways to this generation, and parents, teachers, pastors and counselors are often unaware of what’s really happening.

For those reasons alone, we need to educate ourselves and learn to talk about these topics.

I’m not saying that this show actually does a good job in addressing these issues. What it does well is show the reality of the struggles and pressures. But it provides no hope, no healing and no real direction. It dumps a whole lot of heavy issues on you but leaves you hanging to figure out what to do about it.

Sure, there is the accessible “you should be nicer to people” message, and schools would be a lot better if people are nicer. Obviously, there is no Gospel message or redemption to the story. In one sense, I understand the necessity of not having a redeeming positive message at the end of this, for that is what happens often in reality. Yet there isn’t even a message to tell kids struggling with suicide to call a hotline or something.

The advent of this show helps me realize that I need to do a better job of communicating on tough topics and researching teen culture. Students are lonely, vulnerable and desperately want true answers, but are afraid to ask or make the first move to talk to someone who can help.

Parents, friends, youth pastors and anyone who will read this, please read the resources below and ask a teenager you know about the show, about suicide, about the pressures of life and point them to Christ.

Below are links to both Christian and secular articles. Those with a Christian message are labeled with †

**Updated Articles**

**†"'13 Reasons Why' is Deceptive and Destructive" by Trevin Wax
**† Does "13 Reason Why" Glamorize Teen Suicide by Russel Moore
**Message from the Superintendent of Wadsworth High School

†“13Reasons Why’ Reminds Us to Show Youth Love” great resource for questions and discussion

†13Reasons Why Plugged In review

†UNDERNEATH “13 REASONS WHY” - also has a link to an article on Teen Suicide

13 Reasons Why Isn’t Really About Suicide Article from New York Mag

Good for Teens to read

†13Reasons Why NOT a young lady shares 13 Biblical reasons not to commit suicide 

†Thirteen Reasons Why...suicide is the worst option  Greg Steir gives good Bible teaching

13 Reasons Why ThisShow Is Dangerous  college girl blogs about it

To Every 'HannahBaker' That Is Still Alive college girl writes to those struggling with suicide 

This Is Why PeopleAre Saying "13 Reasons Why" Is A Dangerous Show Buzzfeed article 

From a Parent/Psychotherapist perspective

13 Reasons Why, and Its Unintended Consequences, by Brooke Fox, LCSW 

Our Dance with THE Umbrella

Source: John 10:1-21

Are you a follower of Jesus Christ? Are you a Christian? If you said yes, what does that mean to you? Take a few moments and think about it. What are the implications of saying, “I am a Christian”?

Statistics say that many Americans call themselves Christians, but their lives would say otherwise. Our culture has cheapened the term “Christian” to the point that it has lost its power. It’s one reason that I shifted to use the phrase “Christ follower” more and more.

To follow Christ means that we take up our cross daily (Matthew 16:24), die to self and follow in His footsteps, which means being obedient to His Word. It is the acknowledgement that Jesus is the Lord and King of your life, you are not your own for you are bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:19-20), a very costly price.

That means that Jesus should have the final word in all aspects of our lives, and that is a GOOD thing! When we examine the promises of Scriptures and see that His desire is for us to have the most rewarding life, filled with true blessings, we should be excited to surrender our will to His.

But I acknowledge that many of the faithful struggle every day with doubts and disbelief. I admit that every day I try to take back control in some way or another. And yet, He is faithful to us and willing to forgive time and time again (1 John 1:9).

He Desires Your Good

While Jesus was teaching the disciples, He gave them an illustration of life as a follower. Read the words of John 10:1-6:

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.”

Jesus used the illustration of a shepherd and his sheep to describe life with Him.

Provision

The Shepherd watches over and provides food, shelter and care for the sheep.

Plan

The Shepherd leads his sheep, knows his sheep talks with his sheep. They recognize his voice and follow.

Protection

The Shepherd was the gatekeeper, the door to the sheepfold. No one could get in or out except through him. He would go before the sheep and make sure everything was safe. The Shepherd would risk his life to save the sheep.

The image here is that the sheep are the safest and most cared for in close proximity to the shepherd.

BUT there is opposition!

There are thieves and robbers who try to get into the pen another way. They come in and try to get the sheep to doubt the Shepherd. They break down the walls of defense and get the sheep to wander out alone where they are vulnerable and easy prey.

This is why Jesus warned them,

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10 ESV)

There is an enemy who wants to destroy you and your faith, but trust Jesus and stick close to Him for abundant life! That means a life that is full of purpose and meaning. Notice, it does not mean it always goes according to your plan, but He is with you and will guide you.

So what does this have to do with dating and relationships?

We are starting a new series tonight, and the above passage is laying the foundation for the next few weeks. In this world you are face with a tough question, are you going to live in the corral or out of the corral?

To phrase it another way, are you going to trust Jesus or trust the enemy (the world)?

I recently heard a phrase from Roy Hall, “You are born a winner or a loser…wrong! You are born a chooser!” His point being, making good choices and honoring God with your life is not something that just happens, it is based off of good choices.

Jesus is here to provide for you, He has a plan for you and He will protect you, when you stay close to Him. But, if you follow the opposition you are placing yourself in a dangerous place, a scary wilderness where you feel alone, hurt and vulnerable. He allows you to choose, and when you make the bad choice and wander away, know that He doesn’t give up on you but pursues every wayward sheep that belongs to Him (Matthew 18:10-14).

The Umbrella

Think of an umbrella for a moment. What is it good for? To protect you from the rain. When it’s raining, the safest place to be is directly under the umbrella, holding the handle tightly. The farther from the handle you move, the more exposed you are to the weather. If you let go of the umbrella and walk away from it, you will be fully exposed to the full force of the weather.

You cannot blame the umbrella, for you are the one who walked away from it. If you go and pick the umbrella up and draw it close, it will protect you, though you are still wet from the rain. But the longer you cling to the umbrella the more you will dry off and it will protect you from further rain.

The umbrella is Christ and His Word. The rain is the sin and this world. Stay under the umbrella, be obedient to the Word of God and you will receive the fullest of His protection.

God, in His great love for us, allows us to choose. He desires that you choose to stay close to Him. But, you have your choice. You are free to choose what you want to do. You may choose to “follow your heart” and make bad choices, and you will suffer consequences. BUT, the moment you choose to repent and return to Christ, He will forgive you and accept you back. However, there are still earthly consequences.

The Word of God helps us to see God’s Protection, Plan and Provision for us. God has also granted you the umbrella of protection of your parents. They are there to help lead and guide you into good choices. Obeying them in the Lord is to obey God, and receive His fullest protection. Disobeying them opens up the possibilities of dangerous consequences. You could choose to rebel, but you are hurting yourself and your parents. But when you fix your eyes on Jesus and follow Him, you will see and find great joy in walking through this life with your parents, not in opposition to them.

Desires of the Heart

On of the most exhilarating texts in all of the Bible for me is,

“Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4 ESV)

What a promise! I admit that the first time, ok the first few times I read and quoted this verse, I believed it meant something completely different than it actually means.

I know that I used to think that if I delighted in God, He would give me the life I planned. Specifically, I thought it was a guarantee that I would marry the girl I wanted to marry. And so, for a season, I pursued God for a girl. (in case you were wondering, that is idolatry!)

But this verse is a promise that in pursuing God, He will grant to us what our hearts truly desire, not what our worldly hearts desire.

When we begin to follow Christ wholeheartedly, and take great joy in following Him, we will find that our umbrella goes from one of those little dollar store umbrellas that don’t really work, to a huge beach umbrella. What I mean buy that, is we find that we are not restricted by Christ but He gives us so much space to dance!

God made you a relational being! He made you a sexual being! He has a plan for you and following Him closely will lead to your fullest satisfaction in all areas of life and godliness.

The world offers cheap imitations, but God offers you the fullest expression. Choose wisely!

Over the next few weeks, I am having few couples come in and share their testimony and story of how God brought them together and how they have learned to follow Christ in their dating, engagement and marriage. Listen closely and hear how God has granted them the desires of their heart and is continually teaching them about His great love for them!