Temptation In a Fishbowl

• What’s happening in this picture? (kitten reaching for fish in fishbowl)
• What will happen next? (kitten spilling fishbowl, getting fish, eating fish)
• Is the fish in trouble in this picture? (yes)
• Why is the fish in trouble? (fish is in danger from kitten, he will spill out or get eaten and die)
• The fish is in danger, but who is in trouble? Who is being bad? (kitten)
• What will happen to the kitten for being bad? (punishment, time-out, etc.)
• Do you know who can help the kitten be good? (they don’t know)

If this happened in a Harry Potter movie, could Harry or Ron or Hermione help? Maybe Hermione could wave her wand and say, “leviosa” and make the fishbowl float up to the ceiling where the kitten can’t reach. That would help the fish, but the kitten would still WANT to eat the fish. Hermione might be able to help the fish, but she can’t help the kitten. The kitten is still TEMPTED to be naughty.

If this happened in a Fantastic Four movie, could Thing help? Maybe Thing could clobber the kitten, and scare the kitten away. That would help the fish, but the kitten would still WANT to come back later to get the fish. Thing might be able to help the fish, but he can’t help the kitten. The kitten is still TEMPTED to be naughty.

That poor kitten! He WANTS that fish, doesn’t he? He WANTS to be naughty and catch the fish. He WANTS to be naughty and eat the fish. 

Who can help the kitten? Who can make the kitten want to be GOOD instead of naughty? When the devil TEMPTS us to be naughty, who can help US to be good? Jesus! Who? JESUS! Louder! JESUS!!!

Jesus can help us be good, because Jesus already beat the devil. Here is what happened: 

(abbreviated from Luke 4: 1-13, The Message)

The Spirit led Jesus into the wild.

For forty wilderness days and nights he was tested by the Devil.

Jesus ate nothing during those days, and he was hungry.

The Devil gave the first test saying: "Since you're God's Son, command this stone to turn into a loaf of bread."

Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy saying: "It takes more than bread to really live."

For the second test the Devil said, "Worship me and all the kingdoms of the earth are yours.”

Jesus refused, again with Deuteronomy, saying: "Worship only the Lord your God."

For the third test the Devil said, "If you are God's Son, jump off the top of the Temple. It's written, isn't it, that 'God has placed you in the care of angels to protect you'"

"Yes," said Jesus, "and it's also written, 'Don't you dare tempt the Lord your God.'"

 That completed the testing. The Devil retreated temporarily, lying in wait for another opportunity.

See, Jesus beats the devil EVERY time. And when YOU feel like being naughty, Jesus can change your mind. Just ask Him. WOW! How can Jesus DO that?!

Simple, Jesus has AWESOME power, REAL power—not movie power like Thing or Harry Potter and his friends. Jesus has REAL power, and He will use it for YOU, and you, and you, and all of us! All we have to do is ask!

Here is a badge for each of you. It says POWERED BY JESUS. So when you feel like being naughty, remember to pray and ask Jesus to help you with His amazing power to be good. Let’s ask right now. Bow heads, close eyes, fold hands.

Lord, nothing is impossible for You.

We want to be good, but sometimes we feel like being naughty.

Thank you for loving us and helping us.

Please make us good. You’re the only one who can.

Amen.