In a moment of weakness, we have the potential of making
mistakes with longlasting consequences. Esau did when he sold his
birthright--which gave him authority over his family and a double
portion of the inheritance--for a bowl of soup. His error may seem
foolish, but all of us can land in situations where good sense and
spiritual commitment are undermined by our frailty.
One effective defense against temptation is to know when
we are weak. Satan often strikes after waiting for us to reach our
physical and emotional limits. He rightly reasons that we will lack the
resources to resist what he offers, which he tailors to our perceived
need. Wise believers avoid becoming too hungry, angry, lonely, or tired
(HALT). Letting oneself reach such extremes opens the door for Satan's
short-term solutions, like an unwise business deal or an unsuitable
marriage partner. Keep in mind that his plans will likely have a high
price that must be paid for a long time.
Many people have "sold" their spiritual
birthright--namely, God's plan and blessings for them--because they
never stopped to consider the consequences of a short-term solution.
Believers should make a habit of questioning their decisions:
What will the consequences be if I make this choice? How will
what I'm about to do affect my relationship with the Lord? My family?
My church? Will I be pleased tomorrow with what I am doing today? When we are accustomed to evaluating decisions in this way, we will be less likely to succumb to Satan's persuasion in our weak moments.
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