“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.” ~ Hebrews 4:15 NIV
Quite the verse to ruminate about, especially that just as Christ (the aforementioned high priest) was tempted, so are we. The temptations of Jesus in the wilderness exemplify being tempted in every way. The devil tries this, this, and that and fails.
Addiction refers to a strong inclination to do, use, or indulge in something repeatedly. Could addiction be a result of being tempted in one way? I’ve been ruminating about this face of addiction, reflecting upon the patterns that have taken root in my life. At some point, I thought that growth meant having bigger challenges; that a week ago I struggled with bribing traffic police for speeding, yesterday with bribing a court official to get bail and share the spoils, and today with bribing an executive to get a managerial job. All that has happened is an amplification of my struggle and an increase in my dependence on bribing to get things done!
A Christian’s failure to discontinue this pattern is tragic, as it would normalize sin and familiarity with God. An aspect we grapple with in opportunities to compromise is convenience. Subjectively speaking, convenience is based on track record and logic.
One evening I was heading to KICC in Nairobi’s CBD to study its form in terms of proportions and scale. The gates were closed but I was determined to get into the forecourt and have a glimpse of something specific and of interest. At the entrance turnstiles, the security frisked me inquiring where I was headed. I would easily have responded yes to their question about whether I was going to the parking lot to pick up my car, but I explained in detail the purpose of my visit at that hour. The guard went on to explain to me how I couldn’t make my way in at that time, yet all I wanted was a close-up shot of KICC at night.
After a brief exchange of words, my pleas fell on deaf ears and the guard saw an opportunity to milk where he didn’t feed. The guard said, “Kijana, unawezatuwachia kachai kidogo alafu tukuruhusu uingie.” An option of convenience was craftily presented and I was almost caught in an offside trap. My Sunday School teachers would always quote the verse on Daniel 1, that Daniel resolved not to. I clung to that in my heart and God provided a way of escape as in 1st Corinthians 10: 13 NIV, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”
I responded to the guards saying, “Mimi sina kitu ya kuwapea. Lakini, si huu ni mlango wa kuingia humu ndani? Inamaanisha kama nataka kutoka, nafaa kutokea ule mlango mwingine?” Not suspecting my antics, they all responded, “Ndio!” Having been frisked, I told them, “Basi wacha nitokee ule mlango unafaa niende zangu.” And that’s how I made my way into the forecourt of KICC, had a glimpse of what I’d purposed to study, took a few photos, made my way to the exit gate, and came back to school.
In the words of a good pastor friend of mine, “You never know what’s on the other side of obedience until you obey!” In my words, “You ever know what’s on the other side of disobedience, try obedience. It’s a risk worth taking!” Looking back at the escapade, I’d have done better in being bold in professing my faith, but obedience has no previews, it precedes rewards!
ArchSam©