The Lie of "a little more"

by Britney Hamm

Sometimes I wake up an hour or so before I need to and feel alert and ready to go.

I’d love to tell you that I bounce right up and spend time reading God’s word or get started my day an hour early.

But instead, I usually stay in bed. The thought of more sleep beckons, promising “If you go back to sleep, it’ll feel so good. You’ll be even more well-rested when you wake up again. You’ll just be tired later if you get up now.”

Empty, empty promises. After staying in bed, I feel groggy and grumpy when I awake for the second time. I believe the lie for the umpteenth time, and like the last time, it doesn’t deliver.

Isn’t that how sin works, too? Although staying in bed isn’t inherently sinful or lazy (though it can be those things), this scenario provides great insight into the way temptation can lures us into sin. It starts with a whisper in our ear that promises greater satisfaction, pleasure, security, etc. than what we are currently experiencing. We believe that lie, get carried away by temptation, and fall into sin.

Consider these examples:

• Gluttony—“just a little more food. It tastes so good and I’m full, but just one more plate will give me comfort after a long day.”

• Perfectionism—“just a little more perfect. If I can be a little more perfect I’ll have finally feel good about myself.”

• Workaholism—“just a little longer. I’ve put in a good day’s work today but I just need to get a little more done before I can rest.”

• Adultery—“just a little closer. If I can get just a little closer to him then maybe I won’t feel this longing anymore.”

• Eating disorder—“just a little more weight. If I can just lose 5 more pounds then I’ll know I’m beautiful.”

• Materialism—“just a little more for the house. If I can just have a few more things then I’ll really be content with what we have.”

You get the idea. What follows? That one more plate of food leads to feeling disgusted, bloated, and guilty. Those intimate talks lead to a full-fledged affair. That few more pounds lost leads to increasing obsession and dissatisfaction with your body. And so on.

Just like the promise of a little more sleep distracts me from realizing that my body has already gotten the sleep it needs when I wake up feeling so great, so all of these false promises distract me from realizing that my deepest satisfaction is already found in Christ. None of these things can do for my soul what Christ can. All they can aspire to do is offer a passing glimpse of pleasure or satisfaction that leaves me feeling groggy, disoriented, and groping for more.

What do we do with these lies full of empty promises? There are three things we can know from the Bible about the enemy’s tactics and how the gospel gives us hope.

1) Satan is real. 1 Peter 5:8 tells us “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” Satan is diametrically opposed to Jesus. He’ll do anything to distract me from following Christ. But he cannot consume my soul because I am saved by Christ and sealed by the Holy Spirit.

2) Satan speaks lies. In John 8:44, we learn the nature of this enemy: “When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” Deceit is his weapon. He seeks to devour me by speaking lies to me—lies that promise wonderful things they can’t deliver.

3) Sin easily entangles. In Hebrews 12:1 Paul tell the believers to cast off the “sin that so easily entangles.” Sin easily entangles! Why? Because I am, by nature, a sinner. Plus, sin doesn’t announce itself as sin—it masks itself behind subtle lies.

There is good news! Colossians 1:13 says “He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves.” Before, I was captive of darkness, bound to sin and evil and eternal destruction. I had no power over sin and no hope of an alternate ending. But Christ has rescued me. He has released me from my chains. He has brought me safely out of the dragon’s lair and into his kingdom! He has power over sin and darkness. With my hope in his rescue I don’t have to be bound to sin anymore. I don’t have to believe its lies! I don’t have to fear the lurking enemy, for he has no real power over me!

This is good news indeed. When I’m tempted by the promise of a little more…, I can remember to look for the deceitful trap of Satan’s lies. I can stop and evaluate what I’m believing and see it for the lie that it is, remembering that sin easily entangles.

Finally, I can stand strong against the temptation to sin by believing God’s truth. Christ has rescued me and only HIS truth delivers on its promises to bring pleasure, joy, and satisfaction to my soul. Hallelujah!