Temptation : Why Can't I Say No?نموونە

WHY DO I STILL GET TEMPTED?

Even as a Christ follower, there are behaviours, sinful habits, lifestyles, and thought patterns that we need to work on. This process is called sanctification. Our behaviour is influenced by how we think, which is influenced by what we believe. It is a constant cycle of being renewed through repentance and faith. I’d like to pause and ask a question. What are your core beliefs? Those beliefs guide your thoughts, feelings, and behaviour. These core beliefs are in your subconscious and develop in childhood through what you hear at home, what you are taught, and your life experiences.

WHERE DOES TEMPTATION COME FROM?

Firstly, understand that God does not tempt us nor make us sin. (James 1:13). God may allow us to be exposed to temptation as Jesus told us that in this world you will have many troubles.

FIVE ELEMENTS TO THE PATTERN OF TEMPTATION

James shows us the structure so that we can slow down and examine what is happening in our hearts. We need to slow down our thoughts to examine what may appear to be happening in an instant. You must have seen this while watching cricket/football on TV. They do a replay in slow motion to show you how the wicket was taken or how the goal was scored. So, we are doing a slow motion to the process of temptation. This will help us detect the presence of the evil one, resist, stand firm, or flee.

1 ATTRACTION

We see things or experience things through our senses, we are then lured by “our own evil desires” (James 1:14a) which lead us into temptation. As one preacher put it so well, we need to see everything through our ears!! This is true from the beginning of scripture. The devil got Eve to rely on what she saw rather than what God said. David saw Bathsheba and the rest followed. Both failed to interpret their realities in terms of God’s Word. The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil was good to look at just like the Tree of Life. All God wanted of them was for them to show that they loved Him by obeying Him.

2. DECEPTION

V16. Don’t be deceived. Satan deceives us by blurring our vision. When we repeatedly rationalize our behaviour, the reasons we give ourselves to justify that behaviour become truth rather than ‘THE TRUTH’.

3. PREOCCUPATION

Each person is tempted when he is lured or enticed by his own desire. What does enticement do? It draws you in. It is like holding something so close to your eyes that you cannot see anything else (tunnel vision) and it fills up your mind. It clouds your judgment.

4. CONCEPTION

This is the real clue to what James is thinking. Then desire when it is conceived gives “birth to sin”. Sin begins in the thoughts before we act upon it. When we are not tempted actively our sin lies dormant and sometimes our sin is aroused but there is no opportunity. But when opportunity meets desire sin is conceived. This happened with King David and in the story of Adam and Eve. Both resulted in death.

5. ENTRAPMENT

Ironically the very freedom that you chased eludes you. You become a prisoner of your sin and the consequences thereof. Sin results in bondage to that very sin.

REFLECTIONS

Have you rationalized your sin away?

Have you caught yourself thinking too much about doing something that is wrong and before you know it you have acted upon it?