My cousin wanted to see if he could get his dog drunk. So not thinking the dog would even like beer, he poured a little into the dog’s bowl. The dog loved it and my cousin gave him a little more, and a little more again and again, until the can was empty. Not too long after as the dog was enjoying a buzz, he noticed his tail swooshing back and forth out of the corner of his eye. Each time his tail wagged into view, the dog would growl at it. After a few more wags and a few more growls, the dog jumped up and started chasing his tail. Yes, this inebriated dog was literally running around in circles “chasing his tail”.
Fortunately, this only lasted for several minutes and the canine tired to the point of retiring to his bed to sleep it off.
Being a dog person, I do not condone what my cousin did. I love dogs! I respectfully submit, that God’s two greatest creations are women and dogs; and not particularly in that order.
My cousin’s dog was completely innocent. He trusted his owner. Now I am not comparing my cousin to the devil, but what he did reminds me of how Satan has been getting mankind to “chase his tail” for centuries. It started in the Garden of Eden. The devil enticed Eve to eat the forbidden fruit. Once he persuaded Eve, he used Eve to encourage Adam to do the same.
The devil has two goals…
- His first goal is to get us to completely reject God and to choose this physical world over God’s Kingdom.
- If Satan is not successful at getting us to completely reject God, then his second goal, is to do whatever it takes to get our attention away from God. And the best way to do that is to get us to “chase our own tails”.
What are the tails the devil has you chasing in your life?
A young seductive co-worker trying to lure you away from your spouse and children?
Pornography?
A boss who entices you with a bonus or promotion to cheat a client to improve the company’s bottom line?
That person from your high school years who reconnects with you on Facebook and unlike your spouse, earnestly listens to you and cares about your feelings?
Being the best golfer at your country club at the risk of spending time with your family?
Working on your classic car every weekend in lieu of taking your children camping?
Proving your loyalty by lying for a good friend to help him out?
How many people are sitting in jail today because one or more friends talked them into doing something stupid? The devil did not go straight at Adam. He used Eve. Would you recognize it if your spouse or one of your friends was being used by the devil or do you place all of your trust in that person? How many times in our life do we throw caution to the wind by relinquishing our God given discernment to please someone for the sake of friendship or reach for that shiny brass ring?
Sometimes we validate our actions by quantifying them.
“Judge not, that you be not judged…”.
Matthew 7:1 (ESV)
This verse cautions us to stop comparing our sins to our brother’s sins. Matthew is talking about the wrong kind of judgement. You don’t make yourself more righteous by saying “well, I might look at porn but that’s all I do, I just look at it; whereas Fred actually cheats on his wife”.
Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”
John 7:24 (ESV)
Wow, there is a lot to unpack in this short sentence.
“Do not judge by appearances” … most people would correctly say it’s wrong to judge a person by their looks, (ex. nose rings, tattoos, physical appearances, style of clothing).
For example, it really doesn’t bother me that Representative Fetterman wears gym clothes in the Capitol. However, I believe I am using “right judgement” against him when he votes to allow transgender men in women’s sports.
What about the “appearance” of a situation?
If we don’t back a friend in a lie, are we being disloyal? How would that look? Do we chance losing a friend over not backing a little white lie? Did Adam choose to be loyal to Eve when he knew full well it was against God’s command to eat of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil?
Are we going to risk losing our job by not cheating a customer at the boss’ direction?
What about that sexy two seat sport car that says you have arrived and you are successful? Now, don’t get me wrong there is nothing wrong with having a nice car as long as it is not taking away from the needs of your family. When I was a real estate broker new agents would rationalize leasing high dollar new cars that they could not afford to give the appearance of being successful.
So now we come to the other half of the verse…“But judge with right judgement.” What is “right” judgement?
Right judgement has to do with your heart. If your heart is focused on the things of this world, you are going to be chasing your tail when it comes to relationships, careers, money, and possessions. Where do you see yourself in this illustration?
If you are turned towards God then you are filled with His light. You are filled with the Holy Spirit and one of His many gifts is discernment.
Discernment is one of God’s gifts that shields us from the devil’s sleight of hand. When you are completely filled with God’s light, there is no room for Satan’s darkness.
So turn towards His light and stop chasing your tail! 😊
Do you have a “chasing your tail” moment you would like to share?
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