While it is true that sin can sometimes seem attractive to our old flesh nature in the short run, it brings with it long-term misery, bondage and ultimately steals our joy. What I would like to share in this devotion is why serving God is far more attractive and enjoyable than buying Satan’s counterfeit claims to happiness. I love what Bible teacher Nancy Leigh DeMoss shared on this point: “Trusting the wisdom of our good, loving heavenly Father is safer and far more attractive than trusting Satan’s deceptive sales pitch and stepping out on our own.”1 Below are just four areas where living for Jesus is so much more attractive than letting sin and Satan rule in your heart.
Whose approval do you want (1)
When we obey God’s commandments not only do we put a smile on God’s face but we get the approval and thumbs up from the Creator of the universe. What a great feeling to know that our actions not only please God but help to advance His kingdom and put Satan on the run!
Faithfulness brings great joy (2)
In the parable of the talents in (Matthew 25) we see how being faithful to what God has entrusted to us is the gateway to true joy in life. While Satan can counterfeit happiness he can’t give you true joy since joy is always a byproduct of obedience to the Lord. In this parable we read the following: “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’” I don’t know about you but give me unbridled joy anytime over the very temporary feeling of happiness that Satan offers though sin.
Obedience brings with it very attractive returns on our investment in the kingdom (3)
While it is true that doing it God’s way may bring the disapproval of man and temporary suffering, the Apostle Paul gave us his wonderful perspective in this area when he stated: “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18). Not only will enduring temporary suffering for Jesus bring us and Him glory but we will be storing up amazing returns in heaven for we read: “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-17). Imagine by investing in the kingdom of God now we will receive, in the future, an “eternal weight of glory!”
You get a great night’s sleep! (4)
One of the most attractive things I find about being a Christian and following Jesus is that I get a great night sleep. Since I go to bed with a clear conscience sleep comes very easy for me. I don’t go to bed with a guilty conscience which is inevitable if I choose to follow after Satan’s schemes. And when our consciences are weighted down from sinning, sleep, I find, is very difficult. And getting a good night sleep is so important because it allows us to wake up refreshed and ready to be used by God to glorify His name. And this to me is the most enjoyable part of life – to be used by God to bring Him glory!
For me enjoying my relationship with Jesus is so much more attractive than temporarily getting some small satisfaction from following Satan’s lies. And when we realize that Satan is the father of lies and death, then the comparison with experiencing the joys of Jesus is really no comparison at all. In closing always remember that Jesus brings joy while Satan entices with sin; which leads to death.
1 Inspirational Quotes by Nancy Leigh DeMoss – page 3 (bibleportal.com)