Bait and switch

It's an old ploy of unscrupulous marketers- offer a product at a low price to attract attention, but once the interested party is in the store, make the bargain item unavailable and offer another, more expensive item. This week's car search (see TFTD, 7/19) led us into a classic 'bait and switch' situation! Chris' Internet shopping led her to a car that seemed very desirable, the right year - the right equipment - great price. So, after confirming availability of the car with a phone call; off we went, driving over an hour to the dealer down in the city. The salesman went to bring the car to show us, and the moment it appeared, I knew we'd been 'had.' The 'bargain item' was dented, dirty, and undesirable - not the cream puff advertised. When we said we were not interested, guess the next line. Yep, that's right. "Well, we have several other models of this car for a few $thousand more!" I don't know what made me more disgusted and angry - that I was deceived or the disappointment in my daughter's eyes. (Happily, our next stop was at an auto dealer of superb reputation and ethics and we closed a deal.)

The Tempter is a pro at 'bait and switch.' He dangles opportunities before us that promise all kinds of satisfaction of our desires. He whispers, "you can reach that goal, with just a little compromise of your ethical standards." Or, "you can make that sense of anxiety go away by indulging yourself in some pornography." Or, "his wife is so much more desirable than yours, what's a little fantasy going to hurt?" He plays off of our legitimate needs and heart-felt desires, but the satisfaction he promises through illicit means never lives up to his advertising. His offers are always mostly a lie, with just enough truth to draw us in. The Bible warns us - "Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light." (2 Corinthians 11:14, NLT) In the very first story of temptation, he offered 'knowledge' without disclosing the high cost of that disobedient choice! What a story it is. Take a look!

Eve said, “It’s only the fruit from the tree at the center of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God says we must not eat it or even touch it, or we will die.”“You won’t die!” the serpent hissed. “God knows that your eyes will be opened when you eat it. You will become just like God, knowing everything, both good and evil.” The woman was convinced. The fruit looked so fresh and delicious, and it would make her so wise! So she ate some of the fruit. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her. Then he ate it, too. At that moment, their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they strung fig leaves together around their hips to cover themselves." (Genesis 3:3-7, NLT)

Talk about remorse. Yes, the choice to disobey God brings a certain sense of empowerment and gratifies our sinful nature - temporarily. Then come the sense of loss, of alienation from God, of guilty shame. The story of descent into sin repeats itself over and over and over again. Human beings fall for the lie, the 'bait and switch' tactics of the one who is the father of lies.
Here's the good news! You and I do not have to be duped. God, the Holy Spirit, can help us to see past the ploys of the Soul Destroyer. He wants to make you wise! When Chris told me about her on-line find and that the dealer was in the city, I was suspicious. I knew that many of those 'highway' dealers operate on a numbers basis, depending on a nearly endless supply of first-time customers rather than a steady relationship with repeat customers, so they don't care if they rip off people. But, she didn't have that insight, so she needed a first-hand experience to learn. I am just glad that I was along to guide her through it. God knows Satan's tactics and He will keep you from deception - if you will trust and obey, as you maintain your walk with Him.

Paul reminds a younger pastor named Timothy - "Unscrupulous con men will continue to exploit the faith. They’re as deceived as the people they lead astray. As long as they are out there, things can only get worse. But don’t let it faze you. Stick with what you learned and believed, sure of the integrity of your teachers— why, you took in the sacred Scriptures with your mother’s milk! There’s nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way." (2 Timothy 3:13-16, The Message)

Be wise. Pray for insight. Live obediently. God's promises are always 'Yes and amen,' that is, trustworthy and true. Sometimes they require delayed gratification, and almost always they involve real faith. But He's a good God. He never will practice 'bait and switch' tactics.
"But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not “Yes” and “No.” For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by me and Silas and Timothy, was not “Yes” and “No,” but in him it has always been “Yes.” For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God." (2 Corinthians 1:18-20, NIV)
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TFTD will return next week.
I'm taking another short break for some rest and renewal.
Thanks for reading along.