How many times have we heard statements such as, “I’ll try anything once”, “if you do it, it won’t kill you” or “are you chicken”? Statements like this leads to pride and then to the famous statement, “well, I’ll show you”. When we consider things like alcohol, tobacco, drugs, sexual activities and other such things, people forget that while this may seem so innocent to try once, some do not realize how serious it is to give into temptation, even if it is once. I mean, you talk to those who have had their voice boxes removed due to dipping and smoking, or speak to those whose lives are destroyed from alcohol. In our society today, so many think that there are such things as safe sexual activities, while not realizing the millions who suffer from sexual diseases.
Our world is saturated with those who are not responsible and they tell faithful Christians that it is no big deal to try things like this once. But, what they do not say to you is that their one time event is laced in destruction. Jesus said, “unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.” Lk. 17:1-2.
The world becomes a stumbling block to Christians. Tragically, Christians try things that their friends want them to try and then they become addicted who then cannot understand why they feel trapped. Obviously, the harm is not the first time, but not being aware of the possibility for harm that exist before the drink, or before dipping, or before the sexual activities. Those who struggle with the first time, they do not see the ramifications of their actions. It is a shame that they have not heard of the accidents at parties, or while driving or those who have died in a neighbor’s swimming pool, or who is disoriented with an influential substance and walks over a cliff to his death.
Surely, things like this do not happen. Oh, but they do and quite often because they have the mentality that trying anything once is not that big of a deal. The world asks the Christian to throw out good judgments given by God. The world does not want us to be accountable and desires us to be in a stupor on life. Now, you may think this is all silly and that perhaps you have been involved in many things like this and you may think that the odds are in your favor and that nothing bad will happen. But, how many times does it take before they lose control of a car before they ruin their life forever and those who are also affected?
Do we, our children, friends and grandchildren know that the Bible teaches the importance of avoiding even one bad decision? How many times did Eve eat the forbidden fruit which affected the entire world? Or what about king David who decided to take another man’s wife and kill her husband over sexual activities? Do we not see all the consequences that came from that event? Ask Nadab and Abihu and how many times they offered strange fire (Lev. 10:1-2). Ask Samson if he gave in just once and what happened. Ask Moses who struck the rock instead of speaking to it. Did it keep him out of the land of promise? Do you think God is pleased when we try something that we know is wrong, just once.
It only takes one dip in your mouth and you are hooked, only one drag on a cigarette and your caught, one drink will set you down the road of drunkenness, one sexual activity will lead to more. The point is that we must guard ourselves against doing something wrong. We must guard against the lust of the flesh and eyes. We must guard ourselves against the darts of the devil. We need to realize that no matter how many times someone may call you chicken or cries out to just do it, we must respond with a resounding NO! Let them know of the consequences and that the risks outweigh temporary pleasures. Tell them that “if sinners entice you, do not consent” (Prov. 1:10). Tell them that you will not just try anything once.