Temptation, Sin, and the Conquest of your Soul

A (sort of) Tempting Chocolate Cake. Because this is a family friendly blog 😁
(Not very tempting though - Cherry frosting? Yuck!)

Temptations aren't fun. You are probably familiar with the feeling at some point in your life - The intense desire to do what you know is wrong. There is much to learn about ourselves in the face of temptations - it is here, in the midst of a literal trial, that we face...ourselves. We may look and question why God is doing this...but we have to remember:

God doesn't tempt people. Really! 

James 1:13, ESV

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.

Temptations are a form of trial, one that Christians should expect to face. Christ Himself was tempted, so we should expect to encounter this at some point in time or another. Temptations can come from the devil - See Matthew 4:3, ESV, Where Satan attempts to tempt Jesus.

And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” Matthew 4:3, ESV

This is spiritual warfare, and we must lean on God. People are tempted by their own desires (James 1:14, below), and we must learn to fight these temptations, avoid sin, and develop into more mature Christians. 

Now What? I am tempted to do ___ bad thing, HELP!!

Lean on God, and trust in Him. As Christians, it helps here to know our faith. God has given us several tools to use in the face of temptation:

1.) Prayer

We are instructed to specifically pray to be lead not into temptations (Matthew 6:13, Luke 22:40, ESV below). This is instruction from Jesus Himself!

Temptation may still arise though - and this is straight spiritual warfare. Pray to God for strength, as He loves you, and will not leave you nor forsake you. Fight as if your existence depends on it - because in a way, it does. Temptations that lead to sin will 0injure your relationship with God. He still will love you, and will forgive you when you repent, but why harm this precious relationship with your Creator?

2.) Separation

The example we are given is to separate yourself from the source of temptation. One such example in in Genesis - Joseph was tempted repeatedly by his masters wife (Gen. 39:7-10). He resisted, and made sure that he did not even be with her. In essence, Joseph withdrew himself from a bad situation.

Separate yourself from the temptation. Don't even flirt with the idea of sin - for all sin leads to death (Romans 6:23). Sin is poison to the soul - Don't touch it!

3.) Know the Truth

'Give in; You can't overcome me'

Temptation whispers things like this when it shows up - But it is a lie. Temptation is not from God - And God will not allow you to be tempted beyond your limits.

1 Corinthians 10:13, ESV

"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."

There is lot to unpack in this passage. We are shown that even while in the face of a trial/temptation, God still cares and provides a way out. I think that it is important to realize that this 'way out' may not be what we necessarily want, but it is still present nonetheless. 

Knowing the truth is incredibly important in fighting temptations. In the classic lesson to be learned in the encounter between Jesus and the Devil in Matthew 4, we can see that Jesus staved off the devil using scripture - literally the truth! Furthermore, and important to note, we also see that the devil is cunning, and will also attempt to pervert truths to accomplish evil. 

"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." James 4:7, ESV

Conclusion

The bible teaches much on facing temptations, both outright and in the examples that have been set by those before us. A unique way of looking at facing a temptation is with gratitude. God has considered you worthy to be tested, and this temptation, no matter what it is, is a test of you. 

How will you respond when you face the sinful leanings of your heart?

It is here, in this place, that we find ourselves fighting the battle for our souls. Submit yourselves therefore to God Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7, ESV)

'Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,....Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has withstood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.' James 1:2 & 1:12, ESV

Cited Verses:

James 1:2, ESV

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds

James 1:14, ESV

But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.

Matthew 6:13, ESV

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Luke 22:40, ESV

And when he came to the place, he said to them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation.