Temptation: We are not alone

Temptation: 1. something that seduces or has the quality to seduce; 2. the desire to have or do something that you know you should avoid.

         Temptation is a circumstance that we are all faced with and faced with often; some of us more than others. Some are able to deal with temptation better than others. Some are able to conquer it most of the time; others fall to it every time. It always seems to happen when we are alone. Man has been falling to temptations since literally the beginning of time. Even Christ was tempted, but He did not give in because He does not desire anything that is not of God. What is temptation? Why do we have it? Why does it seem to own some people’s lives?      

         Like it or not, succumbing to temptation is bred from our own desires. By nature we have hidden and not so hidden desires which open us up to temptation all around us. God does not temp us, but He doesn’t shield us from temptation either unless we call on Him for strength. (When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. James 1:13-15).  Temptation can come at us in many different forms, playing on our particular weaknesses.

                            Desire > Temptation > Weakness < Resistance

         Our choices depend on our ability to resist this circumstance. Much of the time we need help. Even though man has been battling temptation since the beginning, the temptations have increased many times in power and scope leading up to the present time. This is due to the type of world we live in now. The constant bombardment and ease of availability of those things we desire, or soon develop a desire for, can be overwhelming. Now more than ever, we need help resisting those temptations.

         So what are we vulnerable to? Many of the same things man has always had desires for: money, power, sex, alcohol/drugs as well as others. The big difference between the past and the present is the availability and constant exposure to these things. As far as money and power goes, we are told we should live for now, grab everything we can get. Acquire as much as we can, doesn’t matter who you step on or ignore along the way, and as we all know, aspiring to get rich opens up the door for other things.

(People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.  1Timothy 6:9).

         This attitude is exactly opposite of what Christ taught. But as we progress as a society, we regress from the teachings of the Bible, thus we consider it ok. Since our society and our status in society also is based largely on material things, maybe you find yourself coveting what your friends and neighbors have, measuring yourself against others. This is a trap and an attitude that can slowly lead you away from what life is all about. Life isn’t supposed to be defined by houses, cars, electronics and wardrobes; rather family, friends, relationships and experiences. Money has become the largest controlling factor in many people’s lives. Wanting it, needing it, thinking about it, spending it, arguing over it, losing sleep over it… worshiping it. The number one cause of divorce in the U.S. is money matters, followed by adultery.

         Sexual desires and temptations outside of marriage have been a battle since the beginning as well, especially for men. But now we are bombarded with sex since childhood from TV, movies, books, magazines and now with a few clicks of the mouse, a whole world of it is available on your computer screen. Approximately 70% of all internet traffic is produced from searching, viewing and downloading nudity and pornography. And if one thinks because he is a Christian he is immune to it, he is only fooling himself. The absolute ease of allowing this into the brain opens the door to a whole new type of battle. The decision to indulge can be made in a matter of seconds. Is this totally harmless? Think about it...  On the subject of sexual immorality, the apostle Paul in his letter to the Corinthians makes a point to differentiate between sins outside of the body and those of sexual nature as it pertains to Christians.

(Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?  1 Corinthians 6:18-19) 

         The excessive use of alcohol or use of drugs is usually sought as an escape or to soak one’s troubles or depression in. Or of course can be the result of an alcoholic parent or growing up in an environment that condones drugs and alcohol. Having alcohol in moderation is one thing, being completely controlled by substances is another. This is another trap that we easily fall into. Most are exposed to these things very early on, during or before High School. Everyone is exposed to it. What happens next and from then on is one’s own personal decision.

         Most people, including myself, fall or have fallen to the above types of desires. But I can testify that there is help to be had in the battle with desire and temptation. As with anything else, we can seek help from God simply by believing, confessing and asking for strength in the battle. And then it’s up to us to “stand up.”

(And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.             1 Corinthians 10:13).

There is nothing easy about this and it takes constant effort. But in Jesus Christ we have strength. We don’t have to accept defeat because of our own weaknesses.

                      Desire > Temptation > Weakness < Resistance < CHRIST

         No matter what we believe is the source of our desires and temptations, they are a fact of life. We should identify what our improper desires are, make the decision not to be owned by them anymore, and then put them before the One who made us. We have help available to us, we are not alone.  

(Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are–yet was without sin. Hebrews 2:18, 4:15)

                  Steven Walls