Next Step for Young People With Convictionናሙና

The Hook 

Ron and his father had been going fishing since he was a small boy. It had been a tradition, not only for Ron and his father, but also for Ron's family since they had moved to the area five generations ago. This year Ron was really excited to go fishing, not specifically to catch some fish, but to have time to think. 

Ron had just finished his first year of high school and was realizing that it was more difficult than he had expected. Not only were the classes harder, but there were also many temptations he had not been prepared for as well. He watched as his friends slowly fell into the things that they promised never to do. The hardest one was Will, Ron's best friend. Will started smoking, and it made Ron uncomfortable. Will never tried to force Ron to smoke, but the temptation was still there.

The worm was in Ron's hand when it hit him. The hook! He was baiting a hook when the thought about the fish he was about to catch hit him. He imagined the fish swimming through the murky water looking for an afternoon snack, and there it was—not moving—a perfect worm waiting for the fish to take, only to be hooked in the mouth. 

That is what temptation is like. In the end temptation is just going to hurt you. Ron went home that day with conviction. Whenever he was tempted, he always remembered the hook. 

So many of us are tempted to do things that we know are not good for us just as Ron was. We maybe tempted to cheat on an exam, tempted to have sex, or tempted to lie. However, we must remember that any temptation may seem good in the moment, but it will eventually hurt you. Remember the hook.

Discussion: 

What things do you need to exchange or replace in your life?