The phrase, “Tempting Fate,” means to do something that we know is risky and/or dangerous and will more than likely have a negative effect or outcome upon our lives.
This is especially true when we choose not to follow God’s Word, the Bible, and do things the way we want, and refuse to consider the consequences of these actions.
This brings us to what “fate” means. Fate is basically the destiny God has set for our lives, and therefore to tempt fate is to do something that severely risks getting our lives off the course set for them by God.
Jesus knew the will and way of God and didn’t tempt the Father by doing something outside His will. This is brought out in a most unusual way in John’s Gospel.
“After these things, Jesus was walking in Galilee, for He was unwilling to walk in Judea because the Jews were seeking to kill Him.” (John 7:1)
One would say Jesus was unwilling to tempt fate. His brothers, however, tried to get Him to go anyway because it was at the time of the Feast of Tabernacles. And while Jesus refused their request, mainly because God and not man led His, He did go. And in reality, this was never in doubt because attending the Feast of Tabernacles was a part of God’s law.
While He was there, He continued His teachings, and when the Jewish leaders tried to seize Him, they couldn’t because “His hour had not yet come.” (John 7:30)
Jesus never tempted fate by moving or teaching without knowing His Father’s will (John 5:19). Even when Satan tempted Jesus to show His divinity while in the wilderness, Jesus declined to say, “You shall not tempt the Lord your God.” (Matthew 4:7)
How often do we needlessly tempt fate, or for that matter, tempt God through our careless and arrogant attitude toward life, God’s Word, and our relationship with Him?
One of the ways is when we openly flaunt God’s word by our willful attitude toward sin, like the sexual sins of adultery, fornication, homosexuality, and lust, not to mention the 10 commandments themselves.
We also openly flaunt God’s grace and mercy by continuing these sinful practices, and then having to audacity to say, “God will forgive.” And then we think we’re indestructible and that the consequences of our wrongdoings or our bad decisions won’t affect us.
How can we stop tempting fate?
First, it is through following God’s word, because in it we’ll find His will and way for life. Next, we need to operate within God’s parameters set for in Hi word, and then like Jesus pray that God will lead and guide us.
And so, instead of tempting fate, how about we started trusting God?
Dennis Lee is the Senior Pastor of Living Waters Fellowship located at 211 West First South, Mesquite, NV., behind ACE Hardware.
Sunday Morning Service is at 10 a.m. The message is entitled, “Bitter Turned Sweet.” Sunday Evening Bible Study is at 6 p.m. Pastor Mike Rowden is going through 1 Thessalonians.
Wednesday Evening Men’s and Women’s Bible Studies begin at 6 p.m. The Women’s Bible Study is looking at the letters of John, and the Men’s Bible study is looking at selected teachings from Promise Keepers.
Our services can be watched live or at a time best suited for your needs on our YouTube Channel “Mesquite NV Living Waters Fellowship.”
Right on for these times! Believers are held to a higher standard. And it saddens me to se them go the way of the world.
Right on for the time we’re in now. While believers are held to a higher standard it saddens me to see them go the way of the e world and loose their faith in God.
Vicky, It is sad to see. When I think about what you said it convicts me to pray even more, for the days are getting shorter. Take care and God bless
A message I needed to read as I consider my next step in serving Him. Am I tempting fate or in His will?
Wes, this is always a hard call. I will be keeping you in prayer through this process. You can also get with me in you need a listening ear. Thanks my friend and God bless
This reminds me of the scripture in Romans 12:2, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” We cannot conform to the world and it’s standards and be obedient to God and His word at the same time. The more we allow the world to saturate our hearts and minds, and the less we allow God’s word to transform us, the easier it becomes to justify our sins. Deception doesn’t come full-blown overnight; it comes gradually as we bit by bit stop listening to God and His word and listen more to the dictates of the world until we reach the place where good appears evil and evil appears good. That is the most obvious, but not seeking God and His word for everything in our lives can also hinder our decisions including in ministry. If we jump ahead of God without seeking Him first, we can fall flat on our faces. Even in that, we cannot lean on our own understanding even if it is good and appears to be the right decision. The question we need to be asking God is, “is this what You have for me.”, and then allow God to lead us. Only He knows His plan and purposes for our lives.
Thank you Debbie. You captured well the intent of Romans 12:2. Transformation begins with the Lord God living within us and for us to continue to seek Him for guidance. God bless
Very Good Dennis! We need this for this time!
Andy, we are definitely moving closer to the end, not only in our own lives, as every day we’re getting older, but we’re moving closer to the End of Days, and therefore, as the writer of Hebrews tells us, let’s continue to encourage one another in fellowship as that Day draws even closer. Take care and God bless