A Parable

James went to America on holiday, and visited the Grand Canyon.  As he and his friends hiked the rim, James decided to walk on the edge.  He got closer, and his friends called him back, but he said, “There’s no law against walking here.  I can handle it.”

James looked down and felt queasy, but he wanted to show he could handle it, and stayed right at the edge.  He said, “I’m not afraid,” but he lost his balance, and plunged into the abyss, screaming as he fell, “Gravity was too strong for me!”

Gavin, James’ cousin, said, “I always had better balance than James.  I could handle it.”  He planned his trip, flew to America, went to the same spot, and walked along the edge, just like James.  Even when he leaned over the edge, he kept his balance, and didn’t fall.

Gavin’s son Colin watched and said “I can do that.”  He walked over to the edge, and fell.  At Colin’s funeral, Gavin sadly said, “Gravity was too strong for him.”

***

There is no such thing as a temptation that is too strong.  There is such a thing as being a fool.  There is more than one kind of fool.  And the statement, “I can handle it,” is not the mark of a Biblically discerning person — even if he really can handle it.