Like most people, I’m not crazy about getting woken up in the middle of the night.  But that’s what happened last night.  It was somewhere around 3:30 am when I got a text. Who texts at 3:30 in the morning?  Well, possibly our daughter who is two hours behind us and maybe in need of some kind of parental support.

I squinted to look at my iPhone screen, which seemed too bright for eyes that had been in the dark for a few hours. It was like the bright light at the end of the tunnel when you are about to die or something.  I was also squinting to bring the words of the text into focus.  I finally make out the words “congratulations you’ve won . . .” and so I turned it off and tried to go back to sleep.  I never win contests; it had to be a scam.

But by then my mind was engaged, and I started thinking: What have I won?  Why are they contacting me at this time of the morning?  I wonder if I can choose my prize.  What time zone would they have to be in to send this out now?  … I finally got back to sleep.

When I did get up later in the morning that text was burning on my mind.  I checked my phone and found out it was from Best Buy.  I like Best Buy; its one of my favourite stores.  There’s lots of stuff I would like to have from there. So I was intrigued that I had won.  Since I belong to their rewards zone club, I thought maybe my winning was connected to that.

I stared at the text for a while and then decided I would click the link to get more information about what I’d won. As it started to load the website, I got a message that said my browser wouldn’t open it because it was an unsecured site.  As soon as that message appeared, I thought maybe I’d been scammed.  I googled for a Best Buy text contest and found out that, yes, it was fraudulent.

I thought how stupid of me to get sucked in like that.  I know better; I’m usually more suspicious than that.  I just hoped my browser saved me from revealing a bunch of information about me and my contacts.

Right after that, in my devotional reading, I read Ephesians 4:27 which says “and do not give the devil a foothold.”  I started thinking about how tempting some things are, like  things that I want to do, that may seem great because others are doing them, that play into my wants and desires, that I could have for a price.  They’re so tempting and all you have to do is take a simple step, even a click of a mouse.

But then it’s got you. One little move, one click and it’s got a foothold.  It then has access to much more of us than just our thoughts.  It has us hooked.  We’ve committed to it in some way.  All it took is a simple click, a simple act, and a simple decision.

Here’s the thing: I have to be disciplined in my thoughts and decisions, constantly making sure I think of the consequences and possible deception I might be giving in to … disciplined so I “don’t give the devil a foothold.”

Until Next Time!

Pastor Paul

p.s.  If you get a text or email from me that’s suspicious, like from Best Buy, you know I got taken.

Question: What’s one thing that’s a temptation you need to guard against?