Is Celebrity Toxic? Reckless Behavior

Then the devil took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, 'If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, 'He will command His angels concerning You;' and 'On their hands, they will bear You up, so that You will not strike Your Foot against a stone.' '

Jesus said to him, 'On the other hand, it is written, 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.' '

Matthew 4:5-7 (NASB)

Daring Satan is foolish behavior.

Testing God is IMMEASURABLY WORSE. Can reckless Christian behavior do both?

Consider the temptations of Jesus. While fasting, He was 'Led around by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil' (Luke 4:1-2). At the end, He took His final exams. Then He shared these last key questions with us. Why?

To teach us! Because we may face them, too--like this one, where we 'Put… God to the test.' How? Fast living, wild actions, and bad choices. Satan asked Jesus to test His Father, by ‘free falling’… betting God would save Him.

But our reckless choices are never free. They have a price: bumps, breaks, and even death. Putting God to the test is WILLFULLY choosing to make a stupid decision, expecting God to rush to our rescue.

I believe the Lord’s tough love policy allows us to feel the consequences of our decisions.

Could our worst choice be procrastination? To postpone a deep commitment to Christ, to delay in helping people in need, or to bury our talents out of fear. It's a slow fall, but a fall nonetheless. Whether it’s fast or slow, we're testing God.

Actors, models, and talent for Christ: God’s ways are perfect. He doesn’t need tests, but His students do. That means you and me.

Think of God as the Superintendent of Education, Jesus as your wonderful Principal, and the Holy Spirit as your Teacher. Satan is the bully who was expelled, but he keeps hanging around, tempting you.

Refuse the devil, stay in school, and STUDY! What’s the antidote for wild behavior?

In one difficult word: Obedience.

'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test... You should diligently keep the Commandments of the Lord your God, and His testimonies and His statutes which He has commanded you. You shall do what is right and good in the sight of the Lord, that it may be well with you and that you may go in and possess the good land' (Deuteronomy 6:16-18).

But when you mess up (which EVERYONE does), take yourself to the Principal’s office. He’ll forgive you, cover you and lead you… all the way to Earth’s graduation day.

Is Celebrity Toxic? Reckless Behavior (Part 6)

NOTE: This is a 2023 update of a 2013 Carey Lewis Devotion. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players. Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.