At one time or another, we have fallen into temptation. Historically, "the way of temptation" can be traced Biblically to the first book of the Bible. "And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat. But of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die" (Genesis 2:16-17). Although this was a communication between God and Adam, Eve knew her action was forbidden. Nevertheless, she allowed the serpent to tempt her. Every since that encounter "the way of temptation" have been a nemesis in the lives of God's people. Temptation doesn't discriminate.
King David looked out of his window one evening and saw the most beautiful woman on the planet. The problem at the time, was she was married to someone else. By yielding to temptation, sin brought destruction upon the royal house of David.
Temptation is all around us. We face temptation to sin every day. No one is exempt from facing temptation. Temptation is not sinful, only when you give in to it, you become one of its victims. Everyone is tempted and it happens on different levels. There is an up side to "the way of temptation." Temptation reveals who you are and whose you are. Let me give it to you a little differently. Temptation reveals your character. Whenever we are tempted we have choices to make as to whether or not we are going to participate in the temptation. We can endure the temptation, or we can indulge in the temptation, or we can enjoy the temptation.
To enjoy the temptation is only a temporary satisfaction. At that moment, it renders some gratification, but in the end, it is sin. "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it" (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Temptation is not unique, it is common to man. Jesus was God and He was tempted by the devil. Jesus had fasted for 40 days and 40 nights and He was physically hungry. Satan waited until Jesus was at His vulnerable state of His fast. He tailored this temptation specifically for Jesus. Jesus who is the Word, used the Word against Satan. Satan's very nature is to tempt and seduce people to do evil and rebel against God. But Jesus was able to do God's will, because He knew God's will. Remember, He existed before all things were made, because He made creation.
Depending on the purpose God has for our lives, His way of escape might be to take us through the temptation, Sometimes the temptation could be disguised as a test, but He will always give us the strength to overcome it. God's desire is that we don't fall into the temptation. God wants us to be overcomers.
God is faithful with us when we are tempted. God doesn't tempt us, but He will allow us to be tempted. Temptation is a character check. Sometimes God's testing gets confused with temptation. Sometimes, we will have to experience both. When God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac, Abraham was being tested. While we are confronted with the temptation, God never abandons us.
God will not permit you to be tempted above that which you are able to bear. He is always in control. He knows our tipping point. God knew that He could trust Job and that is why He allowed Satan to test Job. There are times we may be able to distinguish the difference between testing and temptation.
Temptation is something we face each and everyday. The enemy's strategy has not changed since the Garden of Eden. He used the same tricks against Eve that he used against Jesus and he will use these same tactics against us today. The same tactics, but different methods. "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world" (1John 2:16). We must pray, "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."
The enemy will offer you all kinds of deals. He will promise you fame, fortune, and fun if you will turn and worship him. Everyone will face temptation of some kind. We must resist temptation. "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him" (James 1:12).
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