Nothing More Tempting Than Temptation

When you hear the word, “temptation,” what comes to mind? Hollywood seems to love the word; including it in the title for a movie or TV show promises potential viewers an chance to venture into the realm of things taboo. But it’s hardly a new concept. From the very beginning of Genesis, when Adam and Eve confronted the temptation of the forbidden fruit and then succumbed to it, temptations have been ever-present and relentless.

As someone has said, “I can resist everything except temptation.”

Depending on the individual, being tempted can mean anything from indulging in extra pieces of candy, another alcoholic drink, or heading back to the buffet line, to indulging in purchases one can’t afford or yielding to the urge to spend another session in front of the computer viewing content we wouldn’t want anyone to know about. 

Sometimes we don’t even try to resist. The magnetic pull of things we shouldn’t do seems too strong. We justify our missteps with excuses similar to that of comedian Flip Wilson’s classic character, Geraldine: “The devil made me do it!” But it’s at that point where we make our greatest mistake – the devil can’t make a follower of Jesus to do anything. He can offer an enticing suggestion, and we in turn can decide, “That sounds like a good idea.” Except it’s not.

One of the longest Bible verses I ever learned deals specifically with temptation. To memorize it, I found it best to put it to into practice: “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

When I reflect on this passage, two key truths stand out: First, temptations we face aren’t out of the ordinary; they’re not unique to ourselves. They’re “common to man.” Things that tempt us also trouble many other people. If we feel no one has ever faced temptations such as we’re dealing with, we’re wrong.

The second is there is always a choice. God will provide us with a “way of escape” or, as another translation puts it, “a way out.” Years ago, a friend who was a diabetic talked about one of his greatest temptations – Krispy Kreme donuts. Especially when the red neon light was on signaling a hot, fresh batch was ready for the taking. The Lord’s way of escape for him, he explained, would be to continue driving rather than turning the steering wheel toward the parking lot.

   

Two passages in Hebrews assert that even Jesus confronted temptations, so we can never contend, “Lord, You just don’t understand.” Hebrews 2:18 tells us, “Because (Jesus) himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” Then Hebrews 4:15 expands on that: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet was without sin.”

So when we read the apostle Paul’s words, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13), we can apply this promise to overcoming temptations that threaten to defeat us. Knowing Jesus Himself was tempted, but never yielded to sin, assures us that we too can experience victory over temptation – through His strength.

One other thing strikes me when thinking about seductions trying to lure us into sinful behavior. We don’t have to worry about God tempting us, although He will test us at times through a variety of trials. There’s an important difference:

“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. 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 has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death” (James 1:12-15).

The Lord brings testing into our lives as part of His process for molding and shaping us into the people He wants us to be. Much as a bodybuilder uses various weights to strength and tone muscles, God uses tests to strengthen and refine our faith.

As I see it, temptations come when our spiritual enemy presents opportunities for us to fail. Testing comes when God presents us with opportunities to succeed.

Where Champions Are Made

In a couple of weeks, we’ll again have the chance to marvel as gifted athletes from around the globe compete in the Winter Olympics in South Korea. Skiers will race down slopes at breakneck (hopefully not) speeds; figure skaters will glide across the rink with their collection of lutzes, axels, spins, and maybe a camel or two.

Ski jumpers will soar through frigid skies, straining for the bottom-most patches of icy snow lying many meters below. And speed skaters will chase around a frozen oval, even though a diagonal path would have been much faster.

Already, favorites for each event have been identified. But as happens every Olympics, some of those favored will falter. Unexpected champions will emerge, happily embracing their moment in the sun – or snow, or ice – new “household names” being awarded medals of gold, silver and bronze.

In a real sense, those champions have already been determined in the months and years leading up to this Olympics. I was reminded of this while visiting the YMCA recently for a workout. Someone wore a T-shirt that said, “Champions are made when no one is looking.”

We find everyday examples in the middle-aged guy who’s finally decided to shed excess, health-threatening pounds; the gal prepping for her first half-marathon, the person determined to become the fittest person at the office, or the elderly individual rehabbing from a physical setback.

The same applies whether it’s the area golf champion or the winner of the Masters; winners at the local tennis club or Wimbledon; spelling bee champs; skilled surgeons; inspiring high school teachers, and accomplished business leaders. We can witness and appreciate the end results and yet have no idea of the work, sweat and determination it took for them to achieve their objectives.

What about becoming a spiritual “champion”?

Similarly, men and women become champions for Jesus Christ when no one was looking. Rarely – even in our churches – does anyone focus attention on the person spending time daily communing with God in the Scriptures and in prayer. Strong, enduring faith isn’t gained by attending a stirring worship service or a spiritual conference, but in the bunkers of pain and struggle, where we have no alternative but to persevere, trusting God and His promises.

Virtually every effective Christian leader, whether speaking from the pulpit, facilitating a Sunday school class, or heading up a faith-based company, has been aided in his or her growth by disciplers, mentors and accountability partners, interactions usually unseen by those who benefit from their direction.

The apostle Paul admonished his protégé, Timothy, to “be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). How could Timothy do this? Initially, he learned from Paul. Then he persisted in applying those lessons in quiet, personal hours. Knowing – and using – the Word of God correctly comes only with time, attention and prayer.

Abraham, from whom the people of Israel trace their lineage, went through the refining furnace of faith in many ways, so that when God gave him the curious command to sacrifice his promised son, Isaac, he did not waver: “By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son” (Hebrews 11:17). When no one was looking, Abraham’s faith was being established so he could trust the Lord would somehow resolve this dilemma in a redemptive way. As He did.

Looking back over my life, the times I’ve learned most and grown have not been easy, smooth-sailing moments, even though they’re preferable to times of intense challenge. It’s been circumstances when there was nothing else I could do but to look up, believing in God’s faithfulness even when the limits of credibility were being stretched, that have advanced my spiritual maturity.

As James 1:12 says, “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.”

This is what God calls each of us to do. So that one day we’ll agree with Paul, who wrote, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). In God’s eyes, we’ll be “champions” He has fashioned when no one was looking.