While rummaging around in an old box I came across a computer Scrabble game. I have not played it in years and I wondered if I was still up for the challenge. It gave me the option of setting the computer to novice, amateur, expert or pro. It seemed rather cowardly to dumb down the computer so I set it on pro. Wow, did I get trounced. It accessed its internal dictionary and played seven letter words giving itself 50 point bonuses. The next time I will move it down to expert and see what happens.
As I watched its score soar I was reminded of people I have known who thought they were smart enough to beat Satan. The definition of sin is anything that will harm you or another. By definition one is playing against the odds and if one plays long enough the house always wins. It was Jesus Himself who said, “All they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.” It is the same principle that says if you play with fire you will get burned.
God’s Word is very clear about certain things. It was written by someone much smarter and wiser than we. So what other than conceited arrogance would make us think we can be the exception? Paul said, “The wages of sin is death.” Note that there will be a paycheck coming our way. It reminds us of the play Damn Yankees or Marlow’s Faust. The protagonist sells his soul to the Devil thinking when the contract is up he can negotiate his way out of it. The wise man learns to trust God. Our heavenly Father has our best interest at heart. If we ask He will rescue us even from our foolish selves.
Written by Roger Bothwell on June 18, 2009
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574