Just A Peek
JUST A PEEK
Read James 4:6-10.
Coming into the kitchen, Tara spied a plate with an assortment of candies on the counter. Maybe Mom would let me have a piece! she thought. But Mom was upstairs. Oh, well, thought Tara, I’m sure she’d say no anyway, but . . . She walked closer and looked at the candy again. Then she reached out and picked up a piece. She broke off a tiny corner and tasted it. It was as good as it looked.
Soon the whole thing was gone. I’ve gotta try a little piece of fudge, too, she decided. It was delicious, and when that was gone, Tara tried some peanut brittle. She moved the remaining candies around a little so the plate wouldn’t look so empty. Then she went to her room.
When Tara came to the kitchen for dinner, the candy plate wasn’t in sight. After everyone had eaten, Mom smiled and said, “Wait till you see what Mrs. Anders made for us.” She brought out the plate of candies. “I thought this plate was fuller, but isn’t it lovely?” She handed it to Dad. “You can each choose a couple of pieces for dessert.”
Tara felt so guilty. “Is something wrong?” Mom asked.
“I ate some of the candy!” Tara blurted out. Tears filled her eyes, and the story spilled out. “I’m sorry,” Tara said when she finished.
Mom nodded. “Tara, do you see how you gave in to temptation little by little—how looking led to handling and tasting and eating?” she asked. “That’s how Satan works. He gets you to give in just a little at a time so it doesn’t seem so bad. He does that with other things that tempt us too—not just with candy. We need to resist Satan, and the best way to do that is to refuse to take even one small peek.”
Drying her eyes, Tara nodded.
HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are there things you think you’d like to try that you know you shouldn’t? Be very careful! Satan wants you to try just a little. He knows you might try a little more the next time. Follow God’s advice. Resist Satan. Say no right from the start.
TO MEMORIZE:
Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
James 4:7
RESIST TEMPTATION.
From the book
