Almost Persuaded

My neighbor has a Honda Ridgeline truck.  I see it in his driveway every day.  It happens to be my favorite color as well.  I have sat behind the wheel of a Ridgeline.  Very nice.   I drive a 2000 Nissan Maxima.  It runs great and has a nice two-tone finish on the back quarter panel (one part paint and the other rust). I can easily see this car running another 5 years.  I don’t drive very many miles so it really is perfect for what I need.   But the Ridgeline is what I want.    I was around the house most of the day yesterday thanks to the blizzard.  I shoveled snow, answered email, and mostly hung out with the family.  My neighbor came over to help me clear out my driveway.  We ended up talking about his Ridgeline and how much he loved it.  He even has a nickname for it. “The Ridgy.”  For the rest of the day I was thinking about how I could get my own “Ridgy.”  Here is the sound track that was playing in my head:  

  • Your car is old.  May as well make the move now before it breaks down.  You don’t want to waste a bunch of money on repairs in the future.  That would be poor stewardship.       
  • You can use it to help others move (or, you can at least loan them the truck).  It will be a truck of the people, by the people, and for the people.  
  • What if we get another blizzard like this?  That truck sure would come in handy - maybe even save a life or something.  
  • You are a big guy and you need a vehicle that fits you.  Being cramped in this car can’t be good on your back.  This is about your health.  
  • You don’t have any revolving debt.  No big deal to have one payment. Most people have two car payments.  You are doing much better than most when it comes to debt.   
  • You tithe and are a generous person.  You even help support a needy child in another city - it’s not like you would be taking money from God or something. 
  • You would find a very good used Ridgeline.  You wouldn’t be like “those people” that go out and blow their money on a NEW vehicle.  You are a better steward than that.  
  • You have sacrificed in many ways - you deserve a truck.  

Is it ok for me to go buy a used Ridgeline?  Yes.  Can I afford one?  Yes.  Is Jesus going to be mad at me for getting a truck?  I don’t think so.  But, it’s not about the truck.   What amazes me as I type up all of the things that went through my head is the ability I have to deceive myself.  I think it’s an ability we all have.  Instead of just being honest and saying to myself, “I want my own Ridgy,” I started fabricating a bunch of lame reasons why I need my own Ridgy. I worked really hard to justify my desire for a new truck by comparing myself to others and making up excuses for why I really did need this truck. Getting the truck is fine.  Fooling myself isn’t.   If I can so easily slip into deceiving myself about a truck, what does that say about the need to be on guard about deceiving myself in other areas of my life?  How about you?  In what parts of your life could you fall into self deception?