A Story With No Happy Ending

Dr. John R. Rice used to say, in one of his famous sermons, *All the devil*s apples have worms!* Notice the contrasts in this passage. The temptress uses words sweet as honey and smoother than oil. The end of the relationship, however, is bitter as wormwood and sharp as a two-edged sword. *Stolen waters are sweet,* is the enticing message; but of the victim, Solomon said, *He knoweth not that the dead are there, and that her guests are in the depths of hell.* Now what about all this? First, remember that temptation is always presented as being pleasant and profitable. Satan*s approach in the Garden of Eden was to convince Eve and Adam that the forbidden fruit was good to eat, pleasant to the eyes, and that eating it would make them as wise as God. The result? Lost innocence, the curse, sin, sorrow, and death. Second, there is never a happy ending to the story of disobedience, short of God*s grace. Several insights come to the tragic victims of sin. Unfortunately, they all come too late:

What to do? Note the phrase in Proverbs 5:6 *Ponder the path of life.* *I thought on my ways,* wrote the psalmist, *and turned my feet unto Thy testimonies* (Ps. 119:59). How does a person change his ways, his behavior? *By taking heed thereto according to Thy Word* (Ps. 119:9). Think: If I go on this way, where will it end? Is that what I want to do with my life? Disobedience, compromise, and sin can only purchase for you a basket of heartache and woe. Go God*s way for a happy ending! *Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace* (Ps. 37:37). This devotional was written by Dr. Robert A. Cook. You can subscribe to his free email articles and listen to his Spirit-filled 15-minute messages at www.walkwiththeking.org. Used with written permission.

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