Five Truths About TemptationSample

Truth #3

Temptations are the normal experience of everyone no matter how godly. 

Far too many of us are tragically misinformed about the truth of temptations. People assume that the more godly a person becomes, the less temptations they will face.  Yet, the most godly of all humans that ever lived, Jesus Christ, was “in all points tempted as we are!”  

Jesus wasn’t just tempted a little, but in “all” ways as we are.”  Shocking, isn’t it?  Godliness does not in any way limit the number of temptations we may receive. 

In fact, when you read many of the famous Christian Classics of the saints from across history, they all lament on the number and strength of their temptations.  Over time, however, the nature of their temptations seems to change from the more serious sins to the far lesser sins. Temptations can be conquered the more that we walk with the Lord, but they remain present in our lives until we cross over to the other side. 

“No man knows how bad he is until he has tried to be good.  There is a silly idea about that good people don’t know what temptation means.”  C.S. Lewis

Temptation roars its ugly head around us all. But we have been called on to watch and pray that we won't fall into, according to Matthew 26:41. To fall into something presumes it already exists. Our job, then, is in how we respond to temptation when it comes.