Overcoming Temptation

SIN encompasses the majority of God’s Word, whether specifically or implied. When sin entered the world, it was by no means an accident, as Genesis chapter three demonstrates it was a carefully crafted scheme by God’s and our adversary, Satan. Having been placed in the Garden by God, Adam and Eve had full use of everything their little hearts desired, with the exception of one particular fruit of the Tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:16-17). The fact that they had been commanded NOT to eat of the fruit of this tree, shows that law existed, and said law prohibited consumption of the fruit of the tree in the midst of the Garden. What the fruit was on that tree, God has not told us, it is a mystery. What we do know is that it was not an apple tree, or any other type of fruit that exists today.

Hence, Satan now had a way to manipulate the pair into caving to his will and bringing sin and its consequences into this world. The fact that the couple disobeyed God and followed Satan’s enticements does not mean they had no choice in the matter, for God had created them with a free will. They could have ignored the serpent, but their desire had been peaked, and they chose not to ignore it. In order for us not to follow Adam and Eve’s example in the attempt to overcome temptation there are some things we need to know about it. It’s inherent dangers, its origin, result and action. Fortunately for us, God did not leave without a way to defeat temptation.

Of temptation James wrote, “Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to them that love him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: but every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin; and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren” (James 1:12-16). James clearly provides us with diagram of how sin begins and if followed, the consequences being separation from God. The word tempt denotes making trial of, to put to the test in order to ascertain one’s character, views, or feelings. Temptation does not have to become a pitfall but instead can be a steppingstone to victory and higher spirituality.

There is nothing wrong whatsoever with having desires, for God created us with them. It is how we use those desires or allow them to use us that causes sin to enter the camp. It is God’s wish that we obey His will and follow the example of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:21). Our love for Him motivates us to act upon His will, serving Him in any way we can. His blessings are poured out upon us which motivates us even more. God’s word informs us of the rewards awaiting the faithful. In contrast the devil works in ways that may cause us to distrust God’s love and promises. As he did when he tempted Jesus, he twisted the Scriptures to make it appear true, but that distortion is easily defeated when we possess a perfect knowledge of God’s Word (Matthew 4:1-11).

Consider if you will, what happened to Adam and Eve. Satan’s first tactic was to arouse an ungodly desire within them. In other words, the type of desire that entices us to achieve evil against God’s will. Satan used the tree forbidden to the pair as his agent of enticement. Eve saw that the tree was good for food, which is the same thing he did when tempting Jesus. “If thou be the Son of God, command these stones to be made bread” (Matthew 4:3). This was after Jesus had been without food for 40 days. There was nothing wrong in and of itself for either Eve or Jesus to desire food. However, the devil used that inherent goodness to gain distrust in God’s commandment. With the skill of surgeon, Satan can take any situation that is inherently good and turn it into something evil by manipulating the argument, though valid, is unsound and sinful.

Once hooked, it is still within the grasp of the individual to turn away as Jesus did or give in to the attractive lure offered. This is why Satan has been called a murderer from the beginning (John 8:44). When we give in to the temptation the result is sin – separation from God (Isaiah 59:1-2).

The only way to overcome temptation is to honestly examine the various conduits through which sin can enter our lives. The apostle John wrote, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever” (1 John 2:15-17). Notice in these verses, how John lays out the temporary nature of life on earth. God created this world as a testing ground for eternity. He did not however create the allurements that Satan throws in our paths continually; but instead allows it as part of the test. He wants to see how strong our faith will be. Will it carry us through each trial, temptation, evil, or will it stagnate our faith causing us to give up?

The three categories of sin mentioned by John in the above passage include every possible way mankind can be tempted to sin. In the Bible we find two examples of the devil using these three categories to entice Adam and Eve in the Garden, and Jesus in the wilderness. The lust of the flesh is probably Satan’s foremost tool that satisfies the body and brings pleasure to its carnal desires. Whether it is satisfaction for the stomach as in the case of Eve and Jesus, or the sensual appetites, which arouses fornication. The transitory pleasure of the lust of the flesh has caused civilizations over millennia to take part in whatever feels good, no matter what it does to the soul. The imbibing of alcohol, drugs, immorality of every kind, divorce and remarriage, shacking up, hooking up, adultery, are weaknesses Satan uses against us.

In many ways the category – Lust of the Eyes – is parallel to the lust of the flesh, for it is the eyes that cause us to desire what we see. Which is why Jesus figuratively emphasized

“And if thy right eye causeth thee to stumble, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not thy whole body be cast into hell” (Matthew 5:29). The eye standing for our desire. Eve SAW the forbidden fruit of the tree in the midst of the Garden that it was pleasant to the eyes, a tree to be desired to make one wise (Genesis 3:6), in other words, its outward attractiveness, and that’s all it took to motivate her to sin.

Every day we are tempted by the devils’ masks of sin, hidden in vibrant colors, and bright lights beckoning us, arousing the desires of the eyes to consume what it wants no matter the end result. The lust of the eyes most of time ends up with the lust of the flesh, as a man sees a beautiful woman, a bottle of alcohol, the exorbitant amount the lottery has risen to, the supposed “fun” everyone else seems to be having with their sins and it’s not long before the temptation has taken another soul.

The third category being the “pride of life” which is the desire to do something, to be something to have it all. Just think of the impact Jesus could have made upon the world, had He chosen to jump from the pinnacle of the temple. How quickly the people would have followed Him without question, had He given into the offer of Satan. Think of the multitudes of individuals who have sold their souls for public recognition. The first to achieve the highest number of hot dogs eaten (Gluttony), holding the world record in track and field, being the world champion boxer, number one in corporate business, and so on. How many souls have been sold for such bowls of soup as these and others? Whatever it took to gain the pride of life, stepping whomever, dishonest dealings, broken friendships, all to gain public prestige.

Christianity, however, is not based on the “hey, look at me” philosophy for the world, but rather “in lowliness of mind, esteeming others better than ourselves” (Philippians 2:3-4). Satan knows how to dangle the carrot of fame before us, tempting us to jump off the pinnacle of our own temple of self-worship. We must, however, remind ourselves that the devil is not all powerful, and that there is nothing we can do about his temptations. Just as Jesus was victorious over the tempting’s of Satan, so we also have the choice to refuse him. Notice Paul’s encouraging words, “For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:15-16). It is without question that God has not left us helpless concerning our enemy, Satan.

Remember, Paul also faced many trials in his life, so he knows we can all overcome temptation. “There hath no temptation taken you, but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). Paul is telling us that we are not alone, every temptation we experience has been experienced by others as well. Solomon said there is no new thing under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9). In other words, there are no new temptations that have not been felt by men and women over the millennia. But God will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we individually are able to bear. Not to mention, with every temptation, there is also a way of escaping it.

So how can we escape temptation? First and foremost, we must be willing to overcome it. Just think about the examples we find in Scripture and show it can be done. Judah’s son Joseph, having been sold into slavery in Egypt by his brethren, made the conscious choice NOT to give in. When faced with the seductive efforts of his master’s wife, Joseph “fled and got himself out of the house” (Genesis 39:12). We must recognize our weaknesses and went Satan confronts us with said weakness, be prepared to flee out of the house! James said, “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). Yes, we can resist the devil, but only if we have a mind to do so.

Having made the choice to overcome temptation, we must never rationalize sin and temptation. This is a very productive tool of the devil, tempting us to realize whatever category of sin we are about to embark on. Lust of the flesh, or lust of the eyes, or the pride of life. Those addicted to alcohol and drugs rationalize that they are the ones in control that they can stop anytime they so choose. The problem is, they never arrive at the point of choosing to quit. Adulterers convince themselves that what their spouse doesn’t know won’t hurt them. Gamblers realize that all they need is just one big win and they will quit.

Not only can we resist the devil, but we can also overcome the world. John said, “In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). In 1 John 2:13-14 the apostle speaks of those who have “overcome” the wicked one (Satan). Since it is the case that we are able to overcome the world, and the world follows Satan, then it is also the case that we can overcome Satan, by resisting him. But how do we overcome the world and Satan, and temptation? We do so by allowing the Word of God to abide in us (1 John 5:4-5). That is the only way any of us will be able to stand up against the forces of wickedness and please God. Yes, we can overcome temptation!