What is temptation?
It is something you always hear about. You always hear Christians saying: "I am being tempted." Is this something that really happens or is it just talk? If you examine the Bible you will find out that we do get tempted.
So what about people that don't believe in Jesus, are they tempted? I believe they are tempted also, because it is an easy way for the devil to keep a persons mind of God.
I am sure you have seen the picture, or maybe you have seen it on television, where the good angel is sitting on one shoulder and the bad angel is sitting on the other shoulder whispering in your ear. This isn't all that far from the truth. God does not force us to do anything, so he speaks to us directly or through one of his angels. The bad angel is nothing more then one of the fallen angels, in other words a demon, that works with the devil to keep us from God.
One thing we find in in the bible is the fact that we can not blame God for being tempted.
You will notice in the following verse that we bring a lot of it on ourselves.
JAS 1:13 When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.
In other words the devil tempts us and we give in to it. The way he accomplishes this is by tempting us with things he knows we love. He tempts us with whatever we have problems with. If you have a drinking problem he will use it. If you have a drug problem he will use it. If you have a woman or man problem he will use it. You probably get what I am trying to say. Whatever you have trouble with he will use against you.
Why? Because if he can get us to give in to temptation he can keep us from God, or he can get us to feel guilty about doing what we know we shouldn't do. Do we have to give in to temptation? No, God promises to provide an out as we read in the following verse.
1 Cor 10:13 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 so that you can stand up under it.
So why do we so often not take the out? Because like I said before, the devil uses things we like to tempt us with. So how do we get away from temptation? You take it to Jesus. As you will see below, he has been there and knows what we are going through.
Heb 4:15 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. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Also we ask those we trust for help. Only thing we have to watch with this is that if we are the person helping someone, we make sure that we don't get dragged into what they are having problems with.
GAL 6:1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.
Don't be afraid to go to God with your temptations. He already knows about them. Okay you have went to God, you have asked brothers or sisters to help you and you still can not get the temptations out of your mind. What do you do now? Please read the next two passages.
COL 3:1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
RO 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.
This basically tells you that you have to get you're mind on things from heaven, and even so these two passages don't specifically speak about temptation, they still apply. The best way to beat temptation is to get your mind of the temptation and on something other then the temptation. The more you think about it, the more you struggle with it. So what is our conclusion?
Every one is tempted, so don't be afraid to admit it. Ask for help from God and others.
Don't focus on the temptation. Focus on God (his word).
Remember the following two verses to help you in tough times:
PS 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.
ISA 12:2 Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation."
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