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Human beings have been craving the adrenaline rush since the first caveman dared the first lion to “catch me if you can.” That’s not to say that we all crave danger, but it’s so much a part of our DNA that if we don’t chase those thrills ourselves, we enjoy watching other people do it. Some of these stones even include an attempt to get into the Guinness Book of World Records. If we didn’t, YouTube probably wouldn’t exist. But the awful truth about daredevils and their envelope-pushing stunts is that one day, their luck will run out, tragedy will strike, and loved ones will have to pay the price. Here are just three notorious daredevils that performed stunts that went horribly wrong. 

1. Evel Knievel. There is no daredevil more iconic or respected than a motorcycle stunt jumper  

1. Harry Houdini. Although he is best remembered as a magician, Harry Houdini was one of the original daredevils. 

1. Philippe Petit. A self-taught high wire artist, Philippe Petit is best known for walking a tight rope between the twin towers in NY. 

The list of daredevils is literally endless with some of the stunts being understandable and others just plain crazy and suicidal. 

The question I have is, what is the motive for these stunts. Is that in attempts for the adrenaline rush that you get when successful or is it really an attempt for instant fame and getting attention for yourself? It could also be that sometimes with these stunts and fame comes financial wealth. 

Romans 8:5-8 states that; For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 

Throughout the entire Bible, we are told over and over again that we are to be humble. There is nothing in this world that we can take with us when we die. We are only stewards of these items including money while we are on earth. The apostle Paul was always admonishing the churches that he would do for this very thing. In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he wrote” Do nothing from rivalry or conceit but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,” (Philippians 2:3-5)  

This daredevil mentality affects us in everyday life. Those of us that claim to be Christians should be aware of the dangers of the snare of the devil. So many things of the world tempt us and lure us whether it’s money, fame, power, or anything else that takes our attention away from the Lord. Being humble requires constant work and paying attention to what your true life testimony is. What do people see when they look at you or talk to you. Do they see or do they see God? As Christians, we are to live a godly life as Jesus and the apostles did. They were always kind and considerate of others and always putting their own needs last. 

Being out in the world one of the more important things that we need to remember is that God hates sin but does not hate the sinner. This can be very difficult at times to remember because when we meet or see somebody that we feel is a sinner, regardless of how we initially feel whether they have heard us or just mean to us we must remember to distinguish the sin from the sinner. Even Christ on the cross, after all the brutal treatment he received including being nailed to the cross, he asked his father to forgive them. My favorite expression that I frequently use is that we must remember that “our lives are sometimes the only Bible people will read” 

Are you willing to be a daredevil when it comes to eternity? Even if there is only a 10% chance that the Bible is right about heaven and hell, are you willing to take the chance? Just because you do not believe in it does not mean that it does not exist. The daredevils completely believe that they can do whatever their stunt is, but, so very often, it ends in death. Is it worth the risk?