That's Terrible! You've Gotta Try It!
/“But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.”
— James 1:14-15
As a teenager, we took a family vacation to the Coca-Cola Museum in Atlanta, Georgia. I remember three things about the visit. First, Coca-Cola was originally made utilizing coca leaves for flavoring which allowed for the probability of cocaine being in the product until 1903. Second, Asa Candler, who bought the recipe for Coca-Cola for $238.98, ended every sales meeting with the song “Onward Christian Soldiers” as they marched out to work. And third, the expression, “Ugggh! That’s Terrible! You’ve Gotta Try it!”
One of the central displays in the museum was a tasting room. You could grab little cups and take a sample of products from around the world. As a teenager, this was gold. Unrestrained access to caffeine. All was well right up until someone tasted a beverage from another part of the world that was not meant for the American palette. They loudly exclaimed, “Ugggh! That’s terrible! You’ve gotta try it!” The response; everyone in the room had to try it. Much to the same conclusion.
There is something about human nature. We have a need to “experience” what others do, both good and ill. You might think this is just a childish attribute, but it is not. It is human. Just this past week, my wife and I were at a football homecoming parade. Complete with bands, floats, horses and candy galore. My grandkids talked my wife into trying a sour candy just to see her reaction. Her response? Find another one and force me to try it too.
Human nature is such that we want to experience everything; and when it goes badly, we tend to want others to experience it too. Or at least be around others who have experienced it. Why? It comes from the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve ate from the tree of the “knowledge of good and evil.” We desire knowledge. We desire experience.
But our conscience is there to guide us, right? What is a conscience? By definition it means “with knowledge.” God didn’t create us with a conscience. We chose that for ourselves by desiring the knowledge of good and evil. Our conscience is malleable. What was unconscionable 20 years ago is the status quo today. It changes with the times.
However, God’s word does not change. It is as true now as at any point in human history. Which is why our verse today warns us, “…each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.” Nothing could be more relevant in our culture today. We have a whole generation (and I would argue, generations) who value an “experience” over all. They save, plan and pull out all the stops to have an experience.
There is nothing wrong with an experience. The problem comes when we feel we need to experience ALL things to accurately evaluate what is “good and evil.” You don’t have to experience anything that is contrary to God’s word to know it is evil.
Far too often we want to hear and communicate with people who have gone through what we’ve gone through because they understand us. We parade people across the church platform that have done everything wrong under the sun and found salvation and regeneration. I praise God for them, but why are we so interested in them? I would much rather hear from a person who was tempted as I have been tempted but withstood the temptation in faith. I want to hear from the person who has walked the straight and narrow where I fell into the gutters. That is person I want to learn from and hear.
Yet, we are addicted to experiences we believe to be unique, counter-cultural, rebellious, on the fringe and bold.
As Earnest Shackleton’s supposed famous ad to recruit men for the doomed Antarctic expedition stated, “MEN WANTED for hazard journey, small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful, honor and recognition in case of success.” In accordance with the legend, more than 5,000 men—and “three spotty girls”—applied for the chance to join him. The fact that this legend persists without question enforces the true desires of our heart to experience something, anything that makes us stand out at all costs.
However, the problem is we are looking for an experience in the wrong place: the world. The greatest experience in all of creation is available to us in this moment. A divine experience. Supernatural. And trust me, it is unique, counter-cultural, rebellious, on the fringe, bold and the greatest experience you can have as a human. It is a relationship with Christ. The living Lord. The creator of everything that exists!
This greatest experience of all eternity is not a walk among rainbows and flowers down happiness lane. It is fraught with danger, uneasiness, challenges and is only navigable by the boldest of heart. It can feel terrible at times. However, it is also a path filled with joy, love, acceptance and a divine relationship. It is a path you will never have to walk alone.
God gave us the desire to experience that which is greater than ourselves. He did so in the hope we would seek Him. If we seek that experience in anything other than Him, it will lead to sin and death. However, when we seek it in Him, there is nothing more glorious you could possibly experience.
My challenge this week is to evaluate what experiences I’m longing for? To prayerfully consider what is the root desire of those experiences? Then, rather than try to find fulfillment in the world, turn to Christ and ask Him to meet those desires in my life. No greater experience exists than being a child of God, a joint heir with Christ, His beloved and favorite child!
So, if I need to push you and challenge you to give it a go, in a way that often motivates most people: It’s terrible! You’ve gotta try it!
© 2025 Warren Martin. All rights Reserved.