Three Sources of Temptationናሙና

Temptation of the World

The second source of temptation is the temptation from the ‘world’. Apostle Paul writing to the Romans reminds them - not to be conformed to the patterns of the ‘WORLD’ But be transformed by the renewing of their minds. Romans 12:2

Now the word ’World’ here does not refer to people as in John 3:16. The word here refers to the ‘patterns of the world’ which means the ideas and ideology of the world, the mould of this world, the philosophy of the world. This also could refer to the ‘World’ as indifference and opposition to God’s design, empty values. This means, as a child of God, we will constantly war with the ideas and ideologies of this world that will seek to mould us after its desires. In short, you and I will be lured to live ‘worldly and live by its empty passing values’. But remember Apostle John’s words in First John - "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him".

One of the examples in this regard is that of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the Holy Scriptures. The going would have been easy for them, if only they had given in to the King's decree. Daniel would have had it easy for him, only if he had given in to the King’s command. Likewise, we will be confronted by cultural and social forces that will lure us to its patterns and try to mould us. The way forward, however, is to RESIST. Resist from being moulded by cultural ideas and ideologies around us. In fact, as followers of Christ, we are to constantly seek His kingdom in all spheres of our life.

What are some of the ways the world around you lures you to it? How have you been influenced by the patterns of this ‘world’?