Temptation and Staying the Course

Temptation and Staying the Course.  Colossians 1.23

Maintain a firm position in the faith, and do not allow yourselves to be shifted away from the hope of the Gospel. J.B. Phillips

Good Day. 

He always comes into the room quietly and takes a seat—whether at Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Sunday Night Live, or anywhere else.  He is a junior and a basketball player, and he’s the kinda’ kid that just tries hard at everything.  He’s got a great big, genuine smile and is liked by all.  For some reason, after seeing him the other night, I felt prompted to text him later, and ask how I could pray for him.  When his class time permitted, he responded with, “I’m having trouble with temptation and have been praying about it.  If you could too that would be awesome.”  I texted back, “I will … Thanks for being straight up.”

That was Monday, and the exchange continues to replay itself in my head.  I was honored by his honesty and trust; I was reminded that it is Scriptural to pray for others in the area of temptation, and I began thinking of the connection of ‘staying the course’ and standing strong in the face of temptation. 

Temptation is a given in this life.  All of us are tempted … and certainly, when giving in to temptation leads to sin, it hinders our relationship with God.  Here’s the question—from whence does temptation come? 

And, does God tempt us?

       If not … where does the temptation come from??

Let’s go back to the beginning … back in Genesis, we find the entrance of temptation¹ . . . which of course, by its very nature implies a choice, and that choice includes evil.  Eve, and then Adam, could not stand up to the temptation put before them 'to really know', which the serpent told them they would, if they ate of the tree of knowledge . . . With the choice made by the first couple, the sin condition entered what had been a perfect world.  (Notice that temptation came through an appeal to pride)

Does God send temptation our way?   Hmmmm … consider this from James:

“No one, when tempted, should say, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil and he himself tempts no one.  But one is tempted by one's own desire, being lured and enticed by it; then, when that desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and that sin, when it is fully grown, gives birth to death.”²

 James is pretty clear that God does not tempt anyone; it is impossible for God to violate his own character. Thomas a Kempis in his work, "The Temptation of Christ", written in 1441, has some keen insight on this critical topic.

The beginning of all evil temptations is an unstable mind and a small trust in God.     Just as a ship without a helm is tossed about by the waves, so a person who lacks resolution and certainty is tossed about by temptations . . . temptations reveal who we are.

It is our own (individual) desires that entice.   It is for this reason that what tempts you, may not tempt me, and visa versa. It is valuable to see that temptation is part of a process-

>First, the thought is allowed to enter our minds~

>Second, the imagination is sparked by the thought~

>Third, we feel a sense of pleasure at the fantasy, and we entertain it~

>Fourth, and finally, we engage in the evil action, assenting to its urges.

Kempis admonishes us about thoughts of temptation,

            "Meet them at the door as soon as they knock, and do not let them in."

We can overcome temptation with the help of the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit gives us the power to resist temptation . . . if we look to him.  "The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptation."³

God promises he will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear-- "but  with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it."⁴

Hmmm . . . do you conduct yourself wisely, or do you flirt with temptation that will lead to sin by opening yourself up to it?  James instructed, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”⁵

Temptation – here’s what to do: Pray for strength before and when you face it, do not flirt with it, and like a Kempis said, ‘when temptation knocks on the door, meet it at the door, and do not let it in’!   ‘Something to think about before you AND me are knee-deep in the muck.  God, grant us your strength.  Amen.

Grace and Peace to you~