“…but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”

(James 1:14-15)

Temptation isn’t sin. Jesus was tempted. We, too, are tested in this way. Satan tempts us every day. In doing so our faith is tested and we find out if it is pure; by going through the trial our faith can become stronger.

As it clearly says in James it is by our evil desire that we are enticed. That gives birth to sin and death.

The words that I like to use to help me remember this warning are these:

Distraction, Attraction, and Destruction. They are simple enough for me to remember.

Being alive I can (easily) be distracted/tempted. One can hardly go through the checkout at a grocery store without some magazine that distracts us from our opportunities to glorify God by our life. I can assure you that I am often distracted. But I am to refocus and to take every thought captive to obedience and the submission to the Lord Jesus Christ.  I do not consider that distraction to be sin – unless I allow it to become sin.

When distraction becomes attraction then I have sinned. It is a very short step, so easy to allow, unless I say “NO!” to the initial distraction. It is one of the areas where a knee-jerk reaction is merited, where it is necessary. If I don’t immediately say “No” to the temptation then that becomes sin. And sin brings death – destruction.

Distraction – Attraction – Destruction

That’s the progression as I see it.

Think about the Garden of Eden. There was the command, “don’t eat from this tree.” But Satan tempted. Man (woman) was distracted from their devotion to God. Rather than not allow the distraction they became attracted to the forbidden fruit. And they sinned bringing about the destruction of man.

Distraction – Attraction – Destruction

I repeat it over and over to help me be careful at the point of distraction. I am all too aware of the progression. I’ve personally experienced it. So I will promptly turn away from a distraction. That has kept me from sin on many, many occasions.

There are the blatant, obvious kinds of distractions that entice us by our evil desires and then there are the subtle, stealthy kind of distractions. Cheerleaders are of the first blatant kind of distraction and perhaps football is like the second subtle kind of distraction. I’m not saying that watching football is sinful. But it is sinful if we allow it to take us away (distract us) from our responsibilities. And I would define our responsibilities as they pertain to God, our family, our employer, etc.

If someone watches football when they are supposed to be at work then I expect that person will be fired — Distraction – Attraction – Destruction.

If someone watches football when they are supposed to be spending time with their family then I expect that person will have conflict in their family — Distraction – Attraction – Destruction.

If someone watches football when they are supposed to be worshiping God then I expect — Distraction – Attraction – Destruction.

Go ahead and watch football when it isn’t distracting you from your responsibilities.

If I liked football the way some people do then I would certainly watch it. But the moment it distracts me from what is right to do then I would turn my head and my heart away. When it comes to the cheerleaders, they are always a distraction from what is right. So whether it is football or a cheerleader, don’t let it remain a distraction.  Do what is right. Turn away from a distraction. Just say “No!”  It is a simple technique that works for me most of the time.