If sin is the act we commit, how do we decide we are going to commit that act? We call that temptation. This devotion looks at the nature of temptation and how temptation ensnares us into committing the sin.
Nuggets
- Temptation is that period of time between conception and execution of doing what is sinful.
- Temptation is a merely a test, though we focus on the negative side of the test.
- Temptation is going to happen.
To read devotions in the Sin and Temptation series, click the appropriate button below.
What Does Temptation Mean?
In anticipation of talking about self-discipline, we are discussing why we need the discipline. The last devotion looked at sin.
If sin is the act we commit, temptation is how decide we are going to commit that act. Let’s recap sin and then move on to temptation.
Let's Put It into Context
We sin when we willfully do something when we have been told not to do it or don’t do something we have been told to do. We can’t change a sin from being a sin to not being a sin.
Sin can increase because, once we commit the sin, it is easier for us to commit it again, even if we intend only one instance. This is not good because sin has consequences.
Growing in knowledge of God helps us to bring the sin to light so that we can get rid of it.
Nature of Temptation
“Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away” (Jas. 1: 14 NLT)
Probably many of us are familiar with Wardlaw’s definition of temptation. “… temptation is to be understood as relating to the state of the mind between the moment of the first entrance of the sinful thought, and the actual commission of the evil; — the state of the mind while the enticement is working within among the hidden desires and appetencies of the heart, exerting there its seductive influence.”
It is that period of time between conception and execution of doing what is sinful. It’s the we’re-thinking-about-it stage.
Cox noted that temptation is a merely a test. Are we going to break God’s laws and commandments for our pleasure, or are we going to remain true to Him?
Yep, a huge test.
Another point Cox brought up why we think of temptation as more than just a test. “And because, in their intercourse with each other, men are too often bent on provoking that which is evil in each other, rather than on eliciting and strengthening that which is good, the word “temptation” has sunk from its original plane, and has come to signify mainly such testings and trials of character as are designed to draw out the evil that is in us; trials and tests skillfully adapted to our besetting infirmities, and likely to develop the lower and baser qualities of our nature.”
Let’s talk this through.
- Sin is within us
- It battles our desires
- These battles are the temptations.
How does it lead us down the wrong path?
Sin increases our familiarity with it. Situations, opportunities, and objects are placed along our daily walk so that we can get used to them being within our sphere. Sin makes itself “the norm.”
How many things in society today are considered “normal” that weren’t ten, twenty, thirty years ago?
Eventually, we start looking at the sin. “Hey, that’s not so bad.” “Look at that. I wish I had that.” “This isn’t hurting anything.”
But it is that internal battle that is key. “It is the internal desire which gives temptation its power over man.”
Then, it really starts biting on us. “It isn’t going to hurt if I do this once.” “It has to be okay since it is out here in the open.” “It doesn’t matter if it is good or bad because I really want it.”
We are like a little kid — we see something, we want it.
Now remember, sin comes in when we make a conscious decision to do what is wrong. Being tempted is not a sin. But it only isn’t when we squash the sin. If we ignore the temptation, it is a sin.
After we sin one time, if we are not careful and start doing it more, the sin becomes a habit. We can become entrenched in the sin.
What Does Scriptures Say about Temptation?
“And do not bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” (Mt. 6: 13 CSB)
“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations” (Jas. 1: 2 KJV)
Okay, so which one is it? Bring it on or not?
Well, one, we don’t have any choice. Temptation is going to happen. Period. Point blank.
Two, we’ve talked several times about us growing the most during the trials and temptations. If we don’t have them, we don’t grow. If we don’t grow, we don’t grow closer to God.
But the last thing we want to do is fail the test.
So, I don’t think it is the issue of whether or not we are going to have the temptations. The issue is whether we are going to fail or succeed.
Are we going to sin? Or is our faith strong enough to get us through the temptations?
What Does Lust Have to Do with It?
“But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed” (Jas. 1: 14 KJV)
The King James Version and the New American Standard Bible translates the word lust. All the other versions I use translate it desires.
Remember, the object of desire is more than just sexual lust. But the lust comes from within us.
A second thing to remember is it is something that is wrong. It breaks God’s laws and commandments.
We each have our own obsession. We don’t need to be tempted by someone else.
Even though this temptation comes from deep within us, each disciple experiences temptation.
Many of the newer translations also talk about the temptations enticing us. The offer of pleasure is, often times, a huge selling-point for the temptation. The offer of an advantage is probably a close second.
The enticement can lead us to do things that we fully know are wrong. Therefore, whether or not to give into the temptation is a choice, invariably a conscious choice.
We fully know the sin is wanting us to break one of God’s laws and commandments. The temptation offers us the chance to break that law or commandment. We then make the choice as to whether we will give into the temptation.
How Does Temptation Enslave Us?
Manton said that temptation enslaved us through either force or flattery.
When I was reading over the sermons, I though about that description of how to catch wild animals. It was suggested that, at first, you just put feed out — somewhere outside of their lair. That will get the animals used to coming to the area and getting an item they value.
Then you slowly start putting up fences, one side at a time. The animals won’t see the fence going up because they will be focused on the food.
When it is time to put the last side in, put up the side with the gate — but leave the gate off.
Then, one day, put the gate on and shut the animals in the enclosure. No, the animals did not have any choice in the matter. They were forced into captivity.
Isn’t that how temptation works? It is force, but it is also trickery.
Temptation does like to use flattery, though. It loves to promise us pleasures.
The pleasures won’t stay pleasures for long.
Making the Connections
We do have a part in temptation. We are “… drawn away of [our] own lust, and enticed” (Jas. 1: 14 KJV).
If we are drawn away, that says we start out right. We are on the right path.
Then we aren’t.
We are enticed. Our hopes and desires are aroused.
Hopefully, when things are normal and going along as they should, we are good at keeping temptations in their proper place.
It is when they get out of place that things start going downhill.
It is when we can’t — or won’t— stand up to the temptations that we give them traction. That makes us even more vulnerable needed to the temptations.
How Do We Apply This?
Here is some questions we can ask ourselves when we are tempted. They are based in Somerville’s questions in Temptation to Sin Not from God.
- When we realized we were being tempted, what did we feel?
- Did we hesitate or not?
- What was trying to stop us from giving into the temptation?
- What was the most attractive aspect of the temptation?
When you evaluate the answers, ask yourselves these questions:
- Did we/Are we going to give in to the temptation?
- What did or didn’t stop us?
- Why was/wasn’t that enough to stop us?
- What do we have to learn from this temptation?
- What do we need to work on to strengthen this area of our walk?
Remember, God wants us to study and meditate. So, we have to look at the why and why nots of our actions. We are supposed to grow in our relationship with Him. We can’t do that if we don’t look at our temptations honestly and thoughtfully.
Father. We are Your children. That makes us susceptible to the workings of Satan trying to get us to deny you. Unfortunately, he uses what is inside us to get us to sin. Help us to quickly be aware of the temptations and to quickly defeat them. We can only defeat them through Your grace and mercy. May we grown closer to You because of these temptations. Amen.
Related Links
I have created a worksheet of the questions above. Click on the button below to access it.
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Slowa maja ogromna moc, Ja bardzo w to wierze. Moga inspirowac, dawac motywacje lub pocieszenie, a gdy go potrzeba. Czasem w jednym zdaniu jak zakleta jest madrosc, ktorej szukamy w zyciu przez bardzo dlugi czas. zapraszam do siebie 🙂
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