This isn’t the first time my dog has inspired a blog post and it certainly won’t be the last.

Gus, our Old English Bulldog, tends to either teach me lessons or help me see godly truth in new ways. With everyday life analogies. Everyday bulldog life analogies, that is.

A Begging Dog

The other day, I ate lunch in the living room with my plated sandwich on the coffee table, right at Gus’ eye level.

Now you might be thinking that was a dumb move, but you don’t know Gus. Despite the amount of drool and slobber bubbles his mouth produces at the sight of human food, he will not steal it off a plate or table when he knows it’s not his. If it falls on the floor? Fair game. If we offer him our food? He inhales it. But otherwise, he won’t make the first move.

What he will do is sit extra close and stare at you with his big ol’ puppy dog eyes — one brown, one blue. And then he might let out a periodic sigh, just so you know he’s there. If the sighing leads to whining, we’re probably eating steak or chicken. The boy knows how to beg.

On this particular day, I made myself a chicken sandwich and Gus stayed extra close. With the coffee table inches from his head, he fixed his eyes on the food. No doubt he was hoping I’d drop a crumb because I tend to do that. And every so often, his eyes would drift up to my face with a look that said quite plainly, “I’m a sweet and starving dog and you love me and we both know where this is going so just give it to me now.” You know. That kind of look.

It was in that moment the analogy hit me. Gus, the sandwich, and me looked a whole lot like humans, temptation, and God. Do you see it, too?

How to Run from Temptation

In the Bible, God tells us to flee from temptation.

Don’t stare at it wistfully. Don’t get as close to it as possible without touching it. Run.

And don’t take my word for it. Let’s look at THE Word.

• Proverbs 4:14-15 (NLT): “¹⁴Don’t do as the wicked do, and don’t follow the path of evildoers. ¹⁵ Don’t even think about it; don’t go that way. Turn away and keep moving.”
• Matthew 26:41 (NLT): “Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!”
• 2 Timothy 2:22 (NLT): “Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.”

Okay. So if we’re supposed to run away, where are we supposed to run?

Run to God

“The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe.” Proverbs 18:10 (NLT).

Want to avoid or overcome temptation? Speak the name of Jesus. Surround yourself with God, as if you’re in a tower with thick, impenetrable walls. And don’t just hide. Talk to God. Pray. Read His Word. That is how you fight back.

God is your safe place and the enemy — the source of all temptation — will leave you alone. James 4:7 (NLT) says it, so it’s gotta be true. “So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

Psalm 1:1-2 (NLT) gives us a clear look at the steps to turn from evil and choose God.

“¹Oh, the joys of those who do not
    follow the advice of the wicked,
    or stand around with sinners,
    or join in with mockers.
² But they delight in the law of the Lord,
    meditating on it day and night.”

Notice that the ones who choose God don’t FOLLOW ungodly advice, or SURROUND themselves with people who don’t obey God, or JOIN them in sin. Nope.

They read the Bible (aka. God’s law) and apply what they read to their lives — day and night.

So What Is Temptation?

I like the Oxford Languages definition of the word temptation: The desire to do something, especially something wrong or unwise.

If you are a Christian, basically anything you might want to do that goes against God or the Bible is a temptation — which includes cheating, lying, stealing, laziness, gossiping, sex outside of marriage, addiction, and more. (For me, bulimia was a long-term, addictive temptation of mine that became an idol in my life. Read that part of my story here.)

For Gus, that sandwich was pure temptation. The salivating kind. And instead of walking away, he waited and he hoped that I might give him a piece. And yet, if you’ve ever loved a dog, you know that one piece will not satisfy. The begging doesn’t stop after just one bite.

And that’s the same way temptation works. We fool ourselves into thinking that just one taste of what we want will be enough. Just one round of gossip. Just one little lie. Just one time. But it won’t be enough. It won’t satisfy.

It will only give the devil a foothold to pull you in deeper. The Bible is clear that temptation is a slippery slope into darkness. James 1:14-15 (ERV) describes it this way: “¹⁴ You are tempted by the evil things you want. Your own desire leads you away and traps you. ¹⁵ Your desire grows inside you until it results in sin. Then the sin grows bigger and bigger and finally ends in death.”

Instead, let’s live in the light, as Ephesians 4:17-31 (NLT) tells us how to do:

¹⁷ With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. ¹⁸ Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. ¹⁹ They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.

²⁰ But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. ²¹ Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, ²² throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. ²³ Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. ²⁴ Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

²⁵ So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. ²⁶ And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, ²⁷ for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

²⁸ If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. ²⁹ Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

³⁰ And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.

³¹ Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. ³² Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

So, the next time you find yourself tempted by a “sandwich” or any situation that would give you instant — but empty — gratification…

RUN

to

God.

Get that daily bread that satisfies for eternity and only comes from Him.

Did you know? I wrote an eating disorder recovery devotional with a chapter called, “The Temptation is Real.” You can listen to me read the full chapter here on my podcast, Recover with God.

Want to check out the book?

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