Do you remember back on page 34 when the King says something to Tim about tempters, but Tim wasn’t really paying attention? I thought at the time that I would like to have known what Tim missed, but now in chapter 10 of The Bridge from OneDayBow Tim must be wishing he hadn’t missed that vital information. Tempters here – really?!

Brianna warned, “Be ready for tempters up ahead.

They want you to doubt the King and choose their way instead.

Remember they are tricky and will try to deceive,

So know what’s in the Book and then live like you believe.”

After their conversation Tim had questions about the threat, and did look in the Book – for a quick second! – but then decided (basically) that he’d worry about it when and if the time came. Just like that, Tim went from concern to complacency and quickly followed it up with a nap! Wake up Tim and smell the tempters!!!

Obviously, we, as well as Tim, are going to have to wait until the next chapters to find out what this means for what’s ahead. But without giving anything away; are there any clues that Tim should have picked up that day? I’m glad you asked! Yes, there are…

That morning the Son told Tim he needed to trust and obey the King always, in actions and desire. He warned Tim of the difficulty but assured him that Their Nooma could provide strength to stand, and promised  His continual Presence and the help he needed to pray. So the question is; if there wasn’t going to be conflict, why would he need reassurance? Yep, tempters up ahead!

Having settled that, are there any clues concerning what the battle would look like? For that answer, let’s look at two lines from the song they sang together:

Blinded by the bobble’s shine and gripped by their strong pride;

Your love becomes devalued when Your Truth is despised.

I’d like to think that only applies to “then” and “there” in HereAndNow, but I’m afraid that the “craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions” (from 1 John 2:15-16) didn’t go away once Tim crossed the Bridge. But couldn’t all of this be avoided if the tempters just stayed away???

The Bible clearly states that followers of Jesus face three battle fronts: the flesh (inherent human nature), the world (the evil system in place in our current location), and the devil (think tempters, only on a bigger scale). Let’s take it one step further; the battle mainly happens on an unseen plain. Yes, evil is apparent and active all around us, but the most tiring battle we face in a day is the one inside each of us. And I don’t know about you, but too often I forget that the Holy Spirit is present and even willing and able to help us pray! Things (bobbles) will demand our attention and affect our desires, and pride will sneak in more quickly than skunk-spray; but we dare not allow our minds to devalue God’s love by despising His Truth by pursuing something He forbids. And if God forbids something, it is out of His love and His knowledge of what’s best for us.

So, let’s not be caught sleeping like Tim. As Brianna warned about the tempters:

Remember they are tricky and will try to deceive.

So know what’s in the Book and then live like you believe.