Well, it’s been about a month since I have had a chance to write. I’m curious, whose voice have you been listening to? School is in full swing, old friends are back around, and you are having to make some important decisions. I trust you are making the right ones. Has it ever occurred to you that doing right is never the easy thing to do? Just watch your fellow classmates at school. When everyone around them is doing wrong, what do they do? Stand up and refuse to be involved screaming, “I will not involve myself in your wicked lifestyle!” Or do they simply follow the group? I know the answer and you know the answer. The question is, what do YOU do when under pressure?

It’s so easy to think that it doesn’t really matter if you do what is right. Here’s the reasoning: you listen to Rock, Country, Rap, or CCM, view indecent pictures, listen to dirty jokes, watch unholy movies, get involved in physical relationships, and when you do, God never says anything to rebuke you. Obviously I’m speaking of God’s audible voice, because He has definitely spoken in His Word. You never hear a “stop that, I can see you!” So you think, “well, if I can get away with it, I’m going to, because I don’t want to be a reject who never has any fun.” Perhaps it seems like staying in good with your friends is more important than staying in good with God. After all, you have to deal with your friends every day, and if you choose, you don’t have to deal with God for weeks.

Imagine if every time you did something wrong you DID hear the audible voice of God? Just play through a day at school where every time you dishonor God and disobey His Word He calls from heaven, “Hey, you are a Christian! You bear my name! Why are you listening to that music? Why did you just swear under your breath? Why did you just have an indecent thought toward that girl? I love you and want what’s best for you, so STOP!” WOW! Now that’s a thought! Do you realize that one day you WILL give an account for every opportunity you had to serve God, but chose to do things your own way? It is true, however, that God has chosen to be silent so far as an audible voice is concerned.

In the game of Rook, there are several cards numbering from 1-14. There is one unique card called “the Bird.” That card is the most powerful card in the deck. No matter what card everyone else plays, if you play “the Bird” you win! It’s a great feeling when the cards are being dealt and you end up with “the Bird.” It’s like being dealt a hand of “Draw Fours” in UNO. Suddenly, you feel that no matter what the other players may try to do, you have the upper hand. Unfortunately, many teens who name the name of Christ are using God’s choice of silence on this earth as their “Bird” card. No matter what warnings are given about sin and about eternal consequences of lost reward, they say, “who cares, God’s not saying anything now, so I’m going to continue doing what I want to do.” In essence, what they are doing is voiding any warnings and prohibitions of God with one empty hope.

Realize my friend, one day in glory, you will not be able to play “the Bird.” Knowing that is true, does it not make sense to start living in light of His constant presence. Imagine facing Him in heaven having ignored His presence while on earth. Think of facing the One you thumbed your nose at on this earth saying, “well, if you’re not going to stop me, I’ll do it right in front of you.” The very boldness you express now in the practice of your sin, will be contrasted greatly by the shame as you stand before the Lord. I John 2:15-17 makes a great point. If you love this world, you don’t love God. It’s simple, as your friends and God watch over to see what you will do under temptation, if you choose to sin, you love this world and not God. Why would you do that? I John makes the point that this world passes away. There’s nothing in this world that is eternal. However, there is eternal value in following the Lord. I encourage you to put the Lord first.

This week, you may have already given into some temptation. Maybe you slipped into worldly music, lustful thinking, loose language, or a bad attitude. Won’t you decide that what God thinks, and what God sees is more important than anyone else? Look, if you choose the way of sin, you have chosen the easy way. You have chosen the way everyone is choosing. Water always goes the way of least resistance. Are you going to be as unstable as water? Stand up for the Lord!!! At the time, people may look at you like you are an idiot, (excuse the expression) but God will be so proud that you loved Him more than you loved them. (“Whom having not seen, ye love . . .” I Peter 1:8) The reason they think you are crazy for making a stand, is they don’t believe in God. They’ve never seen Him or heard Him, so why would anyone make themselves look so silly for One Who isn’t real? When you stand up for Him, it plants a seed in their mind that bears testimony to the reality of God. Your very courage for your Savior shows them that there is a God Who is so great that He is worthy to take a stand for.

Next week, we will continue with our series on THE W.E.D.G.E. PRINCIPLE. I hope to hear from THE GALLERY on how God is blessing you and empowering you to win over temptations. See you in a week!