Avoiding Sin – by Avoiding Temptation

Over the years, as I’ve met with other men in discipling and mentoring relationships, the subject of sin and temptation has often arisen. I’ve made it a point of explaining an important distinction between the two. Temptation, I’ve pointed out, is being presented with the opportunity to sin. Sin is deciding the temptation sounds like a good idea and acting upon it. 

So, while we need to confess our sins, as 1 John 1:9 teaches, we don’t need to confess being tempted. The Scriptures tell us even Jesus Christ encountered temptation in many ways. “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet He did not sin” (Hebrews 4:15).

 

That’s encouraging to know, but it doesn’t mean we’re free to dabble with temptation. It’s like sticking your foot into a river filled with alligators. Sooner or later, one’s going to grab you. If you’re a recovering alcoholic, it’s not wise to spend your time hanging out in bars.

 

This year I’ve been reading through a classic devotional book, Morning by Morning, by revered British preacher Charles Haddon Spurgeon. One recent entry focused on the topic of temptation. He wrote, “A covenant must be made with our eyes not even to look on the cause of temptation for such sins only need a spark to begin with and a blaze follows in an instant.”

 

Spurgeon went on to say, “The wings of a dove are of more use to me today than the jaws of a lion…. [The Bible says] I am to resist the devil and he will flee from me, but the lusts of the flesh I must flee, or they will surely overcome me.”

 

In other words, don’t put yourself to the test. And don’t place yourself in compromising situations reasoning, ‘Well, the Lord will prevent me from falling into sin.’

 

The Bible does teach that, “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. 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 (way of escape) so that you can stand up under it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

 

Years ago, a friend of mine, Hugh, often referred to this passage when talking about one of his greatest temptations – Krispy Kreme donuts. Being a diabetic, he knew they weren’t good for him. But when he would drive past the shop and see the bright neon sign announcing a new batch of hot, melt-in-your-mouth donuts had been prepared, the temptation was real.

 

For Hugh, the “way of escape” was simply to keep driving down the road, rather than turning into the Krispy Kreme parking lot.

 

We live in a broken, sinful world and as a result, temptations are lurking all around us. But as another old friend used to say in his home-spun wisdom, “I can’t keep birds from flying over my head, but I can keep them from building a nest in my hair.”

 

Spurgeon observed the best way to avoid falling into sin is to steer clear of situations where we might be tempted. We all have our own weaknesses. What tempts me might have no effect on you. The one thing we can’t do is blame God if we do succumb to temptation. “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 is conceived, it gives birth to sin…” (James 1:13-15).

 

The good news is that whenever we are tempted, maybe even blindsided by it despite our efforts to avoid it, we don’t have to deal with it alone. Hebrews 2:18 gives us this assurance, “Because [Christ] himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.”