Dealing With Temptation

The problem of temptation faces every sincere Christian who is trying to live in a responsible and mature way. Most experiences of temptation involve the same basic elements, and resisting them calls for the same kind of strength. The stories of temptation in the Bible in the Garden of Eden and in the temptation of Jesus present these elements in a dramatic way.

First, the devil says, "Has God surely said?" In other words, the seed is planted in your mind as to whether or not this is really the right choice for you. Whenever you encounter temptation, there is first of all an assault on the standards you have set for yourself. There is the nagging feeling, "Why not? What difference will it make if I do this thing?" In such moments, it is much harder to remember the good reasons why you made a responsible choice. Feelings take over and judgment takes a back seat.

The next thing that temptation tries to promise is something it can't deliver to make you happy and fulfilled. This is like the devil offering Jesus all the Kingdoms of the world if he would fall down and worship him. Actually, the devil was lying, because those things were not his to give. While there may be a momentary pleasure and gratification, there can be no real long-term fulfillment when a person transgresses against personal standards or God's laws.

Remember also that temptation never presents itself in its true form. We are never tempted by something which clearly is wrong or ugly or mean or unworthy. Temptation manages to twist things to make them appear somehow attractive and acceptable. We are made to feel that somehow this experience qualifies as an exception, that our standards do not apply in this instance, that we are justified in making a different choice.

There are several ways to deal with temptation. First, there is the important factor of setting guidelines for yourself, deciding ahead of time what you will or will not do. This means not waiting until the pressure of a heated moment to have to make a decision. Sometimes it involves saying, "No, I will not go to a certain place," or "I will not get involved in that activity." Beyond that, saying no to the wrong may mean saying yes to the good, having worthwhile activities with which to fill your time. It's rather like what happens when a baby is born with a blood condition. They keep pumping in healthy blood until all the diseased blood is replaced. In the same way, you can fill your life with good things so that there is less room for the things which are causing you distress.

Finally, you can keep clear in your mind the commitment you have made to yourself and to God to grow as a responsible person. You see, as someone has said, "Sin robs the sinner twice; first it robs him of God, and then it robs him even of itself." In other words, when you continue to do something wrong which was pleasurable in the beginning, it begins to lose its charm, and soon you not only have lost your integrity as a Christian and a responsible person, but you have lost the pleasure which the sin gave for a season.

You are not alone in the process of dealing with temptation. God has promised grace sufficient to enable you to withstand the pressures of evil. As you maintain a close relationship with him, you will find strength and courage to hold to your standards of integrity. And never forget that grace operates on two levels: first, to strengthen you in temptation, but second to bring forgiveness and redemption in times of falling away. You may be overcome momentarily by temptation, but you do not have to be immobilized by it. God offers the hope of a new start and new strength to grow and mature.