The Bible with Nicky and Pippa Gumbel, Classic Version, 2015Sample

Temptation

The Sirens were three mysterious women who, according to Homer’s Odyssey, lived on an island. Whenever a ship passed by, they would stand on the cliffs and sing. Their beautiful song would tempt sailors closer and closer, until eventually they were shipwrecked on the rocks below.

Odysseus was curious to hear the Sirens’ song, but was well aware of the dangers. He ordered his men to tie him to the mast as they approached the island and then to plug their own ears with beeswax. When Odysseus heard the Siren call he demanded to be untied, but his shipmates bound him tighter, releasing him only when then the danger had passed.

The story explores the power and danger of temptation, and the pull we all feel at times to flirt with choices that we know are bad, and even destructive. Temptation is powerful and pervasive. No one can go through life without being tempted. Temptation is not sin; even Jesus was tempted, yet he was without sin (Hebrews 4:15). The passages for today show us how to deal with temptation. 

Proverbs 7:21-27

1. Tempted to cheat 

This passage describes the power and the dangers of sexual temptation.

• Beware persuasive words
  We have to be careful about what we listen to and what we read, and consider carefully words and propositions that may sound like a good idea. ‘With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk’ (v.21).
• Avoid foolish actions
  Thoughts and words lead eventually to actions. ‘All at once he followed her ... little knowing it will cost him his life’ (vv.22–23).
• Control straying thoughts
  Temptation often starts in our hearts: ‘Do not let your heart turn to her ways [the adulteress]’ (v.25, see Matthew 5:28).

The writer warns his readers: ‘Listen ... take these words of mine most seriously. Don’t fool around ... don’t even stroll through her neighbourhood’ (Proverbs 7:24–25, MSG). Following this path is a ‘highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death’ (v.27).

‘Our Father in heaven ... lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one’ (Matthew 6:9,13). Guard our hearts, give us discernment, and guide our feet.

Luke 3:23-4:13

2. Tempted over control

God allows temptation in your life. As you go through these tests your faith is strengthened.

Jesus knows all about temptation. There are periods when temptation seems to go on and on. In the wilderness, Jesus was tempted for forty days (Luke 4:2). Although it was the devil doing the tempting (v.3), God allowed it (he ‘was led by the Spirit into the wilderness’, v.1).

This period of temptation followed Jesus’ powerful experience of the Holy Spirit at his baptism. This sequence of events is common, which is why we often warn people on Alpha that they may experience increased temptation after the weekend (where the focus is on the work and experience of the Holy Spirit).

Luke emphasises Jesus’ identity as the Son of God (3:23–38). Not surprisingly, the devil aims his temptations at exactly that. Like the serpent with Eve (‘Did God really say ...?’, Genesis 3:1), the devil begins his temptations by raising doubts (‘If you are the Son of God …’, Luke 4:3). It is just the same for us. The devil tries to raise doubts that are at the very core of our own identity as God’s children, in order to soften us up for the other temptations – which are often similar to the ones Jesus faced.

All these temptations revolve around control – control of our appetites, control of our ambitions, and control of our lives. The devil wants to control your life. In contrast, God wants you to know the freedom that comes from being led by the Holy Spirit.

• Instant gratification
  The devil appeals to Jesus’ physical appetite (v.3) and offers instant gratification. Jesus answers, ‘It is written: “People do not live on bread alone” ’ (v.4).

In the long run instant gratification leads to disillusion, emptiness and despair. Listening to God and building a relationship with him leads to deep spiritual satisfaction, joy and purpose.

• Selfish ambition
  The devil showed Jesus in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. ‘He said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendour ... If you worship me, it will all be yours” ’ (vv.6–7).

The temptation to accumulate things for ourselves is very powerful. Material prosperity may lead to ‘authority’ and ‘splendour’ (v.6) in this lifetime, but the danger is that financial security becomes our ambition and we put our trust in wealth and not in God.

Jesus responded to this temptation by saying, ‘It is written: “Worship the Lord your God and serve him only” ’ (v.8). Ultimately, there is only one thing that can be totally secure and that is your relationship with God. This must be your primary ambition.

• Ostentatious power
  The devil takes Jesus to the highest point in the temple and says, ‘If you are the Son of God … throw yourself down from here’ (v.9). He then quotes the Bible at him (out of context, of course). Jesus answered this scripture with scripture ‘It is said: “Do not put the Lord your God to the test” ’ (v.12).

We are called to a life of obedience and service to God. Jesus performed some dramatic miracles during his ministry. In doing so, however, he was obeying God and following the Holy Spirit’s leading. This is quite different from seeking to attract attention to ourselves and then asking God to back us up. Rather than coming up with your own plans and asking God to bless them, seek to find out God’s plans and obey his calling.

Jesus saw off the devil and his temptations with God’s word. He repeatedly said, ‘It is written ... ’ and then quoted scriptures that directly answered the devil’s lies and temptations.

The devil ‘left him’. But he only ‘retreated temporarily, lying in wait for another opportunity (v.13, MSG). It is a relief to have periods in life when temptations are not so strong – but you can be sure that the devil will try to lure you astray again.

Lord, I want to follow the leading of your Holy Spirit. Help me to stay close to you, to know your words and to resist temptation. Help me to reject the devil’s attempt to control my life.

Numbers 11:4-13:25

3. Tempted to compare

Just as Jesus was tempted in ‘the wilderness’ (Luke 4:1), the people of God were tempted during their wilderness years. The examples in this passage were written down as warnings for us (see 1 Corinthians 10:6).

• Discontent
  God had supplied them with food but they craved ‘other food’ (Numbers 11:4). Rather than thanking God for his miraculous provision they said, ‘If only we had meat to eat!’ (v.4b). They kept ‘whining’ (vv.10,13, MSG) and complaining.

They were tempted to make comparisons with the old life back in Egypt and turn back to where they had come from. It is easy to fall into this trap. The grass may seem greener on the other side of the fence. There is always something to complain about. Yet, if we have eyes to see it, we are constantly surrounded by God’s blessing, his goodness, his mercy and forgiveness, his love and grace.

• Jealousy
  We see an example of jealousy with Miriam and Aaron asking, ‘Has the Lord spoken only through Moses? Hasn’t he also spoken through us?’ (12:2). When Joshua had been upset about others prophesying in the camp, Moses asked in response, ‘Are you jealous for my sake?’ (11:29). The context here is spiritual leadership and gifting.

Moses’ leadership structure involved a group of three at the centre (Aaron, Miriam and Joshua). Then, there were the twelve leaders of the tribes of Israel (13:4–15), then the seventy leaders and officials (11:16 onwards). This is very similar to Jesus’ inner circle of three, the twelve apostles, and then the seventy-two others (see Luke 10). When the Holy Spirit rested on the seventy of Moses, ‘they prophesied’ (Numbers 11:25).

Like Moses, try to avoid the temptation to compare and to be jealous when you see God using other people in a powerful way. Moses recognised that he needed all the help he could get. He replied, ‘I wish that all the Lord’s people were prophets and that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!’ (v.29). He did not feel he had to be the only one God used. The Lord had said, ‘I will take some of the power of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them. They will share the burden of the people with you so that you will not have to carry it alone’ (v.17).

• Pride
  Jealousy comes from comparing ourselves with others and thinking that we are less well off. Pride comes from thinking too much of ourselves, comparing with others and thinking we are better.

Moses also avoided the temptation of pride. Pride is the biggest barrier between God and human beings. God loves the humble. As CS Lewis put it, ‘True humility is not thinking less of yourself. It is thinking of yourself less.’ 

Perhaps that is why God used Moses in such a powerful way: ‘Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth’ (12:3).

Moses was ‘humble’ (v.3), ‘faithful’ (v.7), compassionate and forgiving (v.13). All this stemmed from the very close relationship he had with God in which God spoke to him intimately in person (‘With him I speak face to face,’ v.8).   

Lord, help me to avoid the temptations of discontent, jealously and pride. Help me to be trustworthy, faithful and humble.

Pippa Adds

Numbers 11:4–6

I do have a little bit of sympathy for the Israelites. Manna every day for forty years does sound a little dull. I have a slightly delicate constitution so I am a little fussy about food. I am sure manna was delicious and very good for you. When you are hungry most things taste good.

Notes:
Unless otherwise stated, Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version Anglicised, Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 Biblica, formerly International Bible Society. Used by permission of Hodder & Stoughton Publishers, an Hachette UK company. All rights reserved. ‘NIV’ is a registered trademark of Biblica. UK trademark number 1448790.

Scripture quotations marked (AMP) taken from the Amplified® Bible, Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)

Scripture marked (MSG) taken from The Message. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.