It won't happen to me

To illustrate the attitude “It won’t happen to me” described in Ezekiel 12:2 and Ezekiel 12:22, place an open Bible next to a newspaper spread out on a table. Describe the newspaper as representing the ideas and actions found in the world. Pick up a lint roller and describe it as representing our minds, which controls our actions. Roll the lint roller across pages of the entertainment section, sports section, editorials, etc., saying we can indulge our minds in what the world has to offer and ignore God’s Word (point to the open bible). Initially, the roller sticks to the newspaper, but gradually it loses its ability to grab as it absorbs the ideas and actions of the world. At that point where the roller loses its stickiness, roll it across the pages of the open bible illustrating that we can become insensitive to God’s Word (the roller doesn't grab the pages).

We think our sensitivity to God's Word can't be dulled, but it can. Because of the “It won’t happen to me attitude,” warning people to “read their bible" usually has little impact. It might be better to appeal to “how fed up they are with actions they see in the world.” No doubt, they are disgusted by the actions they see (point out selected stories in the newspaper). To be different we must fill our minds with God’s Word and act on it. Practice doing this illustration at home first!!