Bear Spotting

There were two men walking in the forest when they spot a bear. How fast do you have to be to outrun a bear in that situation? Faster than the other guy runs is the correct answer. Funny, yet not funny. I have heard several things to do if confronted by a bear, punch them in the nose, raise up to your biggest possible height, yell, and be more aggressive than the bear. And of course, run.

All of this seems to be good advice, but I have never wanted the opportunity to test out any of these theories. In my opinion, the only safe bear is one that is either stuffed or actually a person in a costume. I had my picture taken this past summer next to a faux stuffed bear in Alaska. It was supposed to be representative of the size of an actual Kodiak bear. I am 6” 4” and 350+ pounds and I looked small next to this beast (today’s picture). I have never been a fast runner so running is not an option for me. If it was you and me trying to outrun a bear, my money is on you. When I see this representation I realize that trying to “outsize” this beast is not going to work for me. And what about my wife, (she is with me in the picture), how will she ever raise up big enough to scare this beast? She definitely can outrun me, though.

If you have been reading these musings for a while you might be wondering where is he going today. Fair enough, not my usual start, and I have never used a personal picture as part of a musing. Here is where I am going, three places in Scripture:

And he (Elijah) was afraid and arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. 1 Kings 19:3 NAS95

Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. I speak as to wise men; you judge what I say. 1 Corinthians 10:12-15 NAS95

Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:7 NAS95

I was struck by Elijah running away from Jezebel after his great victory against the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. He just had this great victory and he runs like a scared rabbit, hides, and then wants God to just kill him. As I ponder this story I start to think about 1 Corinthians 10:12 and the attack of temptation, "if you think you stand, take heed you might just fall."

Some of the greatest times of temptation in my life have come after the best sermons I have preached. I could recount several times of temptations that fall into this category. I have even struggled as I write as to whether the telling of them is important. I decided it is not. You have enough to think about because you are just like me, human and susceptible to temptation. When you think you can stand and handle it you are just as frail as me and could falter and fall. If that thought does not disturb you then you really need to spend some time before God in prayer today. Solomon put it very clearly when he wrote:

Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling. Proverbs 16:18 NAS95

The difference between being chased by a bear and temptation is in 1 Corinthians 10:11-12 and James 4:7 (both referenced above). The Apostle Paul and James give us “the plan” for resisting temptation and sin. It is hard to do in the midst of an attack, but it is your only option.

The best option when being chased by a bear is to be armed with a weapon capable of destroying the bear. But you have to be brave enough to stop and use the weapon and risk the bear getting to you before you get the bear. It is the same fighting temptation. Stop running and start using the Biblical weapons at your disposal. I will write more about that next time.