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Matthew 6:13 NIV And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Temptation is a weapon that the enemy uses in spiritual warfare even though much temptation comes from within. In what we call the “”Lord's Prayer” Jesus’ reminder to pray regularly against temptation reminds us just how prevalent and dangerous the appeal of sin can be in the Christian life. This petition also reminds us that we are not able to resist temptation by our own power. Most people know by experience that your willpower is not quite as strong as we would like to think.
The Bible is very clear that God does not tempt anybody.
James 1:13-18 NIV When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
While God doesn't tempt us he does allow us to be tempted, but he gives us the endurance and power, through his Word, and the Holy Spirit to resist.
1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. 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 so that you can endure it.
Scripture demands a clear and drastic response to temptation.
Jesus told his disciples,
Matthew 5:29-30 NIV If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.
Jesus didn't really mean for you to dismember your body but the point was to take drastic measures not to sin. It may mean leaving a relationship, a job, a church, whatever just do something to keep from or stop sinning. Get away from the temptation.
We know the power of temptation by looking in both history books and the mirror. If we are honest with ourselves, we are not up to the task. But Jesus teaches us that we have access to deliverance from sin and temptation by the grace and mercy of God, which is why we must pray for God’s protection from evil.
Temptation is a weapon that the enemy uses in spiritual warfare even though much temptation comes from within. In what we call the “”Lord's Prayer” Jesus’ reminder to pray regularly against temptation reminds us just how prevalent and dangerous the appeal of sin can be in the Christian life. This petition also reminds us that we are not able to resist temptation by our own power. Most people know by experience that your willpower is not quite as strong as we would like to think.
The Bible is very clear that God does not tempt anybody.
James 1:13-18 NIV When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
While God doesn't tempt us he does allow us to be tempted, but he gives us the endurance and power, through his Word, and the Holy Spirit to resist.
1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. 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 so that you can endure it.
Scripture demands a clear and drastic response to temptation.
Jesus told his disciples,
Matthew 5:29-30 NIV If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.
Jesus didn't really mean for you to dismember your body but the point was to take drastic measures not to sin. It may mean leaving a relationship, a job, a church, whatever just do something to keep from or stop sinning. Get away from the temptation.
We know the power of temptation by looking in both history books and the mirror. If we are honest with ourselves, we are not up to the task. But Jesus teaches us that we have access to deliverance from sin and temptation by the grace and mercy of God, which is why we must pray for God’s protection from evil.
Photo Credit: Creative Commons - heartnotesoflife.com
When to Brace for Temptation
During Times of Prosperity
Prosperity and temptation often go hand-in-hand. It's crucial to understand that prosperity isn't a curse; you don't need to dread it or be suspicious. Rather, recognize that abundance can actually fuel temptation.
Proverbs 30:8-9 NIV: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord ?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.
Guard yourself when you're in a season of plenty and prepare for a potential onslaught of temptation. Watch especially for the temptation of ingratitude, denying that your prosperity is a gift of God’s grace. Look for the temptation of greed, hoarding your wealth instead of being generous. And beware of pride, believing that this abundance proves God favors you over others. Always be aware that prosperity might be a kind of smokescreen, obscuring the significant temptation lurking behind it. Be wary of prosperity!
1 Timothy 6:10 NIV For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
During Times of Spiritual Lukewarmness
There will inevitably be times when your delight in God grows lukewarm. Your heart might long for satisfaction in something—anything—other than God and His riches. In these periods, your worship can become marked by a detached formality.
Revelation 3:15-16 NIV I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
Your time in prayer and God’s Word can feel like a cold duty, and you might dread fellowship with other Christians. You may neglect pursuing communion with God, treating your relationship with Him as just another of life’s joyless obligations. In these times, you can be sure that Satan is close at hand, ready to tempt you, drawing you even further from God and deeper into lesser pleasures. Your heart is already cooling, and he longs to chill it even more. Fight right now to restore the joy of your salvation.
Revelation 3:18 MSG Here’s what I want you to do: Buy your gold from me, gold that’s been through the refiner’s fire. Then you’ll be rich. Buy your clothes from me, clothes designed in Heaven. You’ve gone around half-naked long enough. And buy medicine for your eyes from me so you can see, really see.
During Times of Spiritual Highs
Just as temptation can be close behind your spiritual lows, it may also be lurking right after your spiritual peaks. You can observe this in the life of Paul, who received the immense gift of being caught up to the third heaven and seeing Christ. Yet, immediately after, he was visited by Satan who tried to discourage and crush him.
2 Corinthians 12:6-7 NIV ven if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.
God loves to bless us with those times of freedom and pleasure. We cherish being blessed by Him in this way! But temptation can still be close at hand. In those moments of great spiritual enjoyment, you might become so satisfied with your current state that you begin to neglect the means of grace, stop fighting sin, or accept this delight as your due. You might even boast about the heights you've reached, almost begging God to chasten and humble you. Enjoy soaring to those spiritual heights, but do not cease from guarding your heart, mind, and soul. In fact, be especially vigilant during those times.
During Times of Self-Confidence
In times of self-confidence, you can be sure you're about to enter into significant temptation. This was precisely Peter's experience. On the final night of Jesus’ life, he boasted that he would never desert his Savior. Yet, within hours, he had not only abandoned Him but denied Him three times. His self-confidence allowed him to compare himself with others and declare, "Though they may forsake you, I will not." And still, he fell gravely at the very first opportunity.
Matthew 26:33-35, 73-75 NIV Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.” “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.
After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.” Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!” Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly."
This world is full of temptations, custom-crafted to appeal to every vulnerable heart. The greater your confidence in your ability to overcome these sins in your own strength, and the greater your belief that these sins cannot sway you, the more likely you are to be tempted by them and to fall into them. Beware of self-confidence and flee from its first awakenings. Trust always, only, ever in Christ.
Expect Temptation, Resist Temptation
Temptation will come. It will come to you. It may arrive during times of prosperity, lukewarmness, spiritual excitement, or dangerous self-confidence. Be especially vigilant in those times! But always remember that even when temptation is inevitable, succumbing to it is not. God promises it.
1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. 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 so that you can endure it."
You must, and you can, endure.
This discussion about identifying vulnerable times to temptation aligns with the continuous process of strengthening our foundation in faith and aligning our priorities with God's will. Recognizing these patterns is a key part of regular self-reflection and openness to God's guidance. What are your thoughts on how this awareness can help us in our spiritual walk?
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