Temptations
Water runs the course of least resistance and many people navigate their lives in a similar manner. Problems appear so they do only as much as necessary for the problem to go away. They don’t actually try to solve the problem. They just want the problem not to bother them anymore. The approach they take will be the one that appears the easiest at the moment.
Satan plays on our basic desires, including the desire for an easy solution. He tempts us with “solutions” that only temporarily relieve the burden but bring with the “solution” even deeper problems. After all the path to Hell is easier to walk than the path to Heaven (Matthew 7:13-14).
Alcohol and drugs are one such temptation. When a person is under the influence of alcohol, or some other drug, problems are no longer significant. It deadens the pain and makes it easy to make-believe that nothing is the matter. The only problem is that the problems don’t go away. They are still there when you come down from your drug induced haven. In fact, drugs add more problems to your life. They cost money and money is always tight. They consume time that could have been used searching for a true solution. They consume your health, making it harder to bear burdens. See the description of drug and alcohol user in Proverbs 23:29-35. The term “mixed wine” refers to the practice of dissolving drugs in an alcoholic beverage. Alcohol and drugs deceive the user into thinking the problems go away, but they always remain (Proverbs 20:1).
At times people are tempted to give up on their relationship when problems arise. It is easier to pursue someone else when you don’t have to live with them. Marriage is for companionship, but when problems arise they seek others for sympathy. “My husband doesn’t understand.” “I can’t seem to talk to my wife anymore.” Before one knows what has happened, the husband or wife is seeking comfort in another person’s bed. Adultery is having sex with someone with whom you are not married and adultery is always condemned in the Scriptures (Romans 7:3, Hebrews 13:4).
One avenue of temptation that few people consider is the excitement of sin. Roller-coasters are fun because you appear to be defying certain harm. Sin can appear fun as you do things you know are wrong, but appear to be getting away with it (Proverbs 9:17). When marriage becomes a habit, there is a temptation to liven up your life by doing something forbidden. Hence, you hear about the man who cheats on his wife. Eventually he is caught and his wife leaves him. He marries his mistress and in several years you hear he is cheating on his second wife. Here is a man pursuing the thrill of sin.
Instead of seeking an easy out of your problem, honor your commitment to your union (Malachi 2:13-17). Work at making the marriage better. Tackle the problems and work for true solutions and not easy escapes.
