TEMPTATION

 

 

 

 

 

Just as a compass’ needle feels the pull towards the magnetic poles, so, too, man feels the pull towards many things that he knows are not right; we call this temptation. It is important to remember some things about temptation. First, temptation is common to all Christians. We read; “There hath no temptation taken you but such as man can bear: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation make also the way of escape, that ye may be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10.13ASV). Even Christ was tempted (see Matthew 4.1-11). How much more are we? Jesus, even though He was tempted, did not sin. The Bible says; “For we have not a high priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but one that hath been in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4.15ASV). Temptation is from the devil. God does not tempt anyone. Again, we read in the Bible; “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God; for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempteth no man:” (James 1.13ASV). God does not tempt us but He allows us to be tempted. Job endured incredible testing and temptation. We read:

 

6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them.

 

7 And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

 

8 And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?

 

9 Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?

 

10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.

 

11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.

 

12 And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord.

 

 

Job 1.6-12 (KJV)

 

Lastly, temptation is not sin; giving in to it is. Temptation gives us the opportunity to overcome. We read:

 

I have written unto you, fathers, because ye know him who is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the evil one.

 

 

 

1 John 2.14ASV

 

A Christian can claim the promise that no temptation is greater than we can bear. I repeat what the Bible says; “There hath no temptation taken you but such as man can bear: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation make also the way of escape, that ye may be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10.13ASV). Overcoming temptation relates to two things, resisting the enemy and submitting to God. We read; “Be subject therefore unto God; but resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4.7ASV).

 

Christian, in your hour of temptation, remember that you are not alone. Jesus has endured temptation, and overcome it, and He is with you to help you overcome as well. Lean on Him. Draw strength from Him. Pray to Him. What a friend we have in Jesus.

 

 

 

Shawn Stevens

 

 

 

REFERENCES :

 

Graham, Billy and Charles G Ward. The Billy Graham Christian Worker’s Handbook.

 

Minneapolis: World Wide Publications, 1984.

 

Scripture references taken from the American Standard Version and the King James Version.