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Articles
The Ultimate High
Throughout history many have sought the ultimate high. Many have tried everything they could think of to achieve living a life of total pleasure and happiness. Many want to experience a utopia on earth. The ultimate high is their goal.
Solomon wrote, “The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). Solomon sought the “Ultimate High” more than anyone ever recorded in the history of man. He experienced the lust of the flesh, lust of the eye, and the pride of life to the extent no one else ever achieved. After all this, he wrote, “Therefore I hated life because the work that was done under the sun was grievous to me, for all is vanity and grasping for the wind” (Ecclesiastes 2:17).
Even with this knowledge, we see many today that still think they can find the “Ultimate High” through pleasures “under the sun.” We see those today that seek the ultimate high by using mind altering drugs. The practice of illicit sexual pleasures is rampant in our country. We are flooded with immodest advertisements on the majority of TV channels. The reason is this is what many want to see and because sex sells.
Technology has taken temptation to an even higher plain. So much is at one’s finger tips at all times. Many have even become hooked to the pleasures of sports, video games, and other legitimate activities to the point of addiction. Now many want to add the lottery to our state, offering the temptation of greed. There is no end to the devices Satan has to tempt folks hunting the ultimate high.
Satan has temptations designed for everyone. There are no exceptions. He is no respecter of persons. All have their “giant” or “giants” to face. Satan knows our personal giants, and the opportune time to have them come knocking on our door with temptation. He makes it look so good. It promises such a rush. It is going to make us feel so high. While it may achieve a moment of pleasure and a certain high, it is temporary. Then reality sets in and the crash to the low point where guilt lives. This is the place of tossing and turning during sleepless nights. This is a consequence of sinning against God and ourselves. David said, “My sin is ever before me” (Psalm 51:3).
We have to ask ourselves the question “Is there really an actual Ultimate High”? Yes, and God has given us the directions to achieve it. James wrote – “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (4:7). Stop and let this sink in! Roger Shouse wrote – “One aspect that is sometimes overlooked in this discussion is the sweet victory that one feels when they have resisted the devil and refused to open the door to temptation.”
It takes self-discipline. Nothing else determines our success in life quite as much as the ability to be self-disciplined. This is especially true in living a righteous life. Paul said he disciplined himself that while he preached to others he might not himself become a castaway (1 Corinthians 9:27).
All of us have had such victories at one time or another. Think about that time you looked away from an immodest dressed person and didn’t take that second look. The time you refrained from saying something better left unsaid. The time you poured out that drink you knew you shouldn’t take. You threw those cigarettes away. You called up a passage of scripture to remove certain sinful thoughts that began creeping into your mind.
I am talking about the “ULTIMATE HIGH!” The times we won over Satan’s temptation! There is no higher peace and comfort than to pillow one’s head at nighttime with the knowledge that you won that battle with Satan. You found the door of escape God provided. Never is there a sweeter more restful sleep.
It reminds us of the truth of Scriptures. The devil can be resisted. I don't have to do wrong. I do have a choice in this. When the devil is resisted, he leaves for the moment. He'll be back. He always comes back, but not now. Not for this moment. You have won the battle.
Have we reached the point that we will never sin again? No. There will be days that we make the wrong choices. There will be days that we have disappointed the Lord, and ourselves. But that doesn't have to be every day.
That doesn't have to be the way it is with every temptation. James tells us the rest of the story – “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (4:8). Every victory brings us closer to God. The closer we come to God, the easier the next battle becomes. The giants will shrink as we realize we can win. We can overcome Satan by submitting to God!
Joseph is a great example of that. His master's wife tried seducing him more than once. He resisted. He fled. He understood that he could not do this evil against God. She accused him. He was thrown into prison, even though he was innocent. Yet, he did not sin. He resisted. The devil didn't win. What a great victory. It is called the joy of salvation – the Ultimate High!
