Temptation

Temptation is a word we use for various levels of undisciplined behaviour. We may be tempted to hit the snooze button one too many times and arrive late to work. We’re tempted to have a piece of chocolate cake instead of sticking to our diet. At a much more insidious level we’re tempted every day to wander into sin against a holy God. We’re tempted to lie, swear, lust, hate, lose our tempers, worry, gossip, complain, malign, and a host of other sins. Why is temptation so prevalent in our lives?

To begin with, we must understand that God never tempts us to sin. James 1.13 says, “When tempted, no-one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone.” So God is never the source of temptation, but we do have plenty of other sources of solicitation to evil. In simple terms we can say that temptation comes from three sources, the world, the flesh, and the devil.

The world wants us to follow its ungodly patterns. First John 2.16 says, “For everything in the world, the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does, comes not from the Father but from the world.” Likewise, our inner, sinful being, our flesh, longs to sin. James 1.14 tells us, “Each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.” Satan, too, tempts us to sin. First Peter 5.8 warns, “Be self-controlled and alert.  Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” The world, the flesh, and the devil each contribute to our daily temptations. But we can be victorious over temptation through the power of Jesus Christ.

The Bible tells us that God protects us from those temptations that would overwhelm us. In 1 Corinthians 10.13 we read, “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful, he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted he will provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” Your particular temptations aren’t unique. We’re all tempted in many ways. Neither is your temptation unbearable. God has made a way of escape. We can resist temptation in the name of Jesus Christ our Saviour. We do so by renewing our minds, replacing sinful patterns with healthy habits, and avoiding those situations in which temptation seems strongest. First John 5.1-2 assures us of victory over temptation, saying, “Everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” Expect God to help you resist temptation today and thank Him for your victory in Jesus Christ.