What made betraying Jesus so attractive to Judas and what makes sin so attractive to us? Satan makes sin attractive. How can we overcome sin that seems attractive?
Satan Made Betrayal Look Attractive
Our story takes places the day before Jesus is crucified and is at the end of His three years of ministry with His disciples. John 13:21 Now Jesus was deeply troubled, and he exclaimed, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me!” 22 The disciples looked at each other, wondering whom he could mean. 23 The disciple Jesus loved was sitting next to Jesus at the table. 24 Simon Peter motioned to him to ask, “Who’s he talking about?” 25 So that disciple leaned over to Jesus and asked, “Lord, who is it?”
26 Jesus responded, “It is the one to whom I give the bread I dip in the bowl.” And when he had dipped it, he gave it to Judas, son of Simon Iscariot. 27 When Judas had eaten the bread, Satan entered into him. Then Jesus told him, “Hurry and do what you’re going to do.” 28 None of the others at the table knew what Jesus meant. 29 Since Judas was their treasurer, some thought Jesus was telling him to go and pay for the food or to give some money to the poor. 30 So Judas left at once, going out into the night. [1]
The Attractive Sin Deceives
Judas had one of the greatest opportunities of anyone on the face of the earth. Jesus had personally selected him and taught him. He was able to learn from God Himself in the flesh. Yet Judas chose to betray Jesus. Why? Satan made the sin of betraying Jesus seem attractive. In John 12:6 it tells us Judas was a thief who stole money out of the money bag. He was greedy and 30 pieces of silver were desirable and worth the betrayal. Through his theft, Judas demonstrated his lack of trust for the Lord’s provision.
Scripture doesn’t record other lies Satan may have used. Like Adam and Eve, Judas was deceived. When Jesus died on the cross, Judas hung himself. Obviously, we can conclude it did not turn out like he thought it would. If we are honest with ourselves, we can recall a time when sin was attractive at first but regrettable afterwards. Fortunately, we can repent of our sins and be forgiven.
Overcoming the Attraction of Sin
God gives us tools, so we are not so easily fooled by the deception of the enemy. We can use these same tools help us overcome habitual sin that can entrap us. The Apostle Paul writes about this. Ephesians 6.10A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. [2]
God wants us to rely on Him and not ourselves, and the rest of Ephesians 6 describes the armor of God. The Lord calls us to be people of faith to protect us from the arrows of the enemy. In addition, the Lord wants us to seek Him in prayer as we praise Him and ask for wisdom.
Prayer
Lord, I confess there is sin in my life I can’t shake. I’ve struggled silently for so along against it. I’ve dismissed it, justified it, tried to convince myself it isn’t as bad as I know it really is. Lord, I know Satan makes sin attractive. I confess it to You and ask You to bring it to light.
Lord, I need your strength to defeat this sin. I am thankful that your power is made perfect in my weakness. Give me wisdom and perspective in the moment I am tempted to sin – help me in that moment see my sin as you see it.
Oh Lord – who will save me from this body of death! Thanks be to God! Thank you, Lord, for rescuing me and saving me from my sinfulness. It is only in Your grace that I am saved, and I am so thankful. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen!
To learn more about Judas’ betrayal, listen here: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/encountering-jesus-with-the-disciples
[1,2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.