The recent reports of Tiger Woods affairs is saddening (11 and counting). I think this is a good time for all of us (especially men) to take a step back and evaluate life. If you are anything like me, you were pretty surprised by Tiger’s hidden lifestyle and now you are disappointed in him. Let’s remember though, that we are all capable of such acts. We may think, “I would never do such a thing to my wife and children.” Well, I pray you and I don’t, but these kinds of sins don’t begin in full blown adultery. They begin in the lustful glance, the inappropriate website, and the friendly conversation with someone of the opposite sex.
Let Tiger’s mistake(s) be for our learning. Here are a few things we could evaluate from this.
1. Where are the “little foxes” (to use Song of Solomon language)that will ruin the vineyard of our relationship with our spouse? Pornography? Lingering over an immoral past? Second glances?
2. The phrase “I can look, I just can’t touch” is just the beginning of “I need to touch.” We must see that sin is never satisfied. If we don’t sever it, it will grow. If we don’t starve it, we are feeding it.
3. I once heard Jerry Bridges say for men to “live scared.” He didn’t mean we needed to be crippled by the idea of adultery, but to be very aware that we are all capable of extreme sins.
4. Have accountability. Do you have someone you talk to about even the smallest lustful glances or immoral dreams or accidental pop-up ads? If you can’t think of anyone…you don’t. Get someone…now! Confess your temptations and fight lust in the very early stages so it never leads to the hotel room with another woman, the fight with your wife, and the crashing or your marriage.
5. Be in a church that practices church discipline. Mine does and I am glad. If I wander, I have men (and women) that will come after me and confront me. This is grace even to know it is there. It is also God’s grace as a warning to me as I have seen others confronted (and even had to confront some).
6. The verse, “What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul” (Mark 8:36) should make us evaluate the way we value “things” and the way we pray for Tiger Woods’ soul.
May God grant repentance to Tiger and may his marriage be saved. I pray that the heat would continue to come to him until he sees that there is only one treasure…and it is not girls, golf, or gold…it is Jesus.
