I have said a lot of harsh things over the years. But I have never seen anyone turn pale the way my friend Robb once did. In high school, we used to go to Pappy’s for a meal after church every Sunday night. There might be five of us—or there might be fifty. One night, I was concerned about my homework, and said NO. I’m sure my girlfriend (your mother) wanted me there, and Chris and others. But for some reason, it was Robb who tried to persuade me. –And the actor could be very persuasive! I must have told him NO and told him why a dozen times. Finally, I stopped. I looked at Robb and said:
“Get thee behind me, Satan, for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but on man’s.” (I was quoting Matthew 16:23)
He was stricken. His eyes went wide and he turned pale as if he had been slapped by Jesus Himself. His entire countenance changed from happy and eager to remorseful and rebuked. Humbled even. I immediately regretted it. (Why would I say something like that?) I apologized, and we soon laughed about it, and all was well. But I did not go to Pappy’s. Valentine’s came along a few weeks later and he gave me a tiny card on which he had scribbled “Get thee behind me.” I still have that card in the old Bible I used to read in those days.
Here’s why I said it: I had been a D-student throughout high school. Now, I was serious about doing my best. I knew God had called me to make straight As. I believed that was God’s desire. Man’s desire—my desire—was to go to Pappy’s the way I did every Sunday night. But this time I had too much homework. I needed to get home and get serious, and at that moment Robb was creating a difficult temptation for me (as Peter did for Jesus by trying to convince him He did not need to die on the cross).
What do you do in the face of temptation? How strong is your resolve? Have you ever risked offending a friend?
Temptation is serious. Fight it boldly, with all that you have. Even strong words, if necessary.
ΑΩ
Household Words: 