Is temptation sinful in itself? Is it God or Satan putting these subtle ideas into our minds? Is there any power available to us to overcome temptation? Let’s see what God’s Word has to say on this vial subject.

The word ‘temptation’ has narrowed in meaning since the King James Version was published. Today it generally carries a sinister meaning such as ‘seduction’ or enticement to evil’ (particularly of a sexual nature). However in the Bible the Hebrew and Greek words used carry a much wider meaning. The original words refer to the melting, testing and refining of metals, especially precious metals such as gold and silver. And so when a person’s character is ‘tested’ there may either be an improvement in quality, or else the temptation traps the person into doing something wrong.

The Scriptures describe five separate kinds of situations involving temptation.

1. THERE ARE TIMES WHEN HUMAN BEINGS ‘TEST’ OTHER PERSONS to probe and explore their beliefs or behaviour. This is something like the cross-examination which occurs in court-rooms. An example: when the Jews tried to trap Jesus into making self-incriminating statements about his attitude to the Roman authorities (Mark 12:15).

2. THE BIBLE ALSO CONTAINS COMMANDS TO TEST ONE’S OWN LIFE AND ATTITUDES. This ought to be done to avoid being too cocksure about our spiritual state (2 Corinthians 13:5) lest we go astray (Galatians 6:4). It ought to precede our coming to the Lord’s supper (1 Corinthians 11:28). Such disciplined self-scrutiny, if done regularly and honestly, can lead to a very healthy self-knowledge.

3. Occasionally, the Scriptures record the words of someone who dares to challenge God. Such defiant testing of God’s truth or his goodness is irreverent and reprehensible, and is expressly forbidden (Matthew 4:7).

4. SOMETIMES GOD TESTS PEOPLE FOR THEIR GOOD. James tells us that these trials produce endurance and patience (Jam. 1). The first letter of Peter (1 Peter 1:6,7) assures us that they result in a more genuine faith. Indeed, such trials if ‘weathered’ in the right spirit bring approval from God and hope to the Christian, impossible though this may seem! (see Romans 5:3-5). In the Christian’s experience, as in all of life, ‘nothing worthwhile is learned except in the school of adversity.’

5. THE WORST KINDS OF ‘TESTING’ FOR THE CHRISTIAN ARE THE ATTACKS OF SATAN. The Devil is always at work to destroy our faith and hope; he is the implacable foe of God and man (1 Peter 5:8). However, Satan can only work his evil purposes within limits set by God (Job 1:12). His attacks come to us through the allurements of the world outside us, or the lustful perversion of bodily appetites (such as sexual lust, gluttony, laziness and greed), or by Satan himself sowing evil thoughts in our minds (1 John 2:15-17). The bait he uses is often subtle, even respectable; the steps to our fall were once described by Eve in the garden of Eden: ‘I saw, I coveted, I took’. Our rationale often expresses itself in words like these: ‘But everybody’s doing it. Surely there’s no harm in it!’

HOW CAN WE ARM OURSELVES AGAINST SUCH A CLEVER AND POWERFUL FOE? Look up Ephesians 6:10-20 for the answer. The basic fact to realise is that we cannot, in our own strength, do battle with such overwhelming power organised against us. We must submit to God, then fight the Devil in God’s strength (James 4:7). Remember, Jesus has already won the victory over the evil one (Col. 2:14,15); realising our union with Him we let HIM fight our battles by the power of His strong Spirit within us. He understands our weaknesses: HE WAS TEMPTED IN EVERY RESPECT TOO! (Heb. 4:15,16). Deliverance comes through Jesus Christ our Lord alone! Therefore our tactics must involve watchfulness (1 Thessalonians 5:6), prayer (Mark 14:38), and active opposition (1 Peter 5:9).

HOW CAN WE TELL WHETHER IT’S GOD OR SATAN TESTING US? Here’s a good guide: when Satan tempts, it is that the Christian might fall; when God tests, it is that the Christian may stand! WHENEVER WE ARE TEMPTED TO DO WRONG, THE DEVIL IS AT WORK. But how do we know what’s right and wrong? Don’t many modern dilemnas have areas of ‘grey’? Certainly. Here we need another gift from God: sanctified commonsense, based on a thorough knowledge of the moral principles given to us in the Scriptrures. Ignorance here isn’t bliss! We ‘cleanse our way’ by guarding it according to the Word of God (Psalm 119:9). Therefore study it regularly and in depth!

There is an old story of a girl called Atlanta who could outrun everyone else. Her father promised her hand in marriage to anyone who could beat her in a race. A young man called Milanion competed with her, and he brought three golden apples with him. As he ran, he dropped these one after the other. Atlanta couldn’t resist picking them up, and Milanion won the race.

Atlanta lost the race because she allowed herself to be tempted and turn aside. Many Christians do the same! Let us resist Satan’s temptations at all costs. TEMPTATION, IN ITSELF, IS NOT SINFUL. But yielding to it is! Luther once said that ‘we can’t stop the birds flying over our heads, but we can keep them from building nests in our hair!’

THE SECRET? Starve your evil nature. Don’t read magazines or watch videos that might cause lustful thoughts; don’t be tempted to go to places where you’ll be likely to fall. Feel your mind with good thoughts: ‘Fill your minds with those things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and honourable’ (Philippians 4:8).

AND REMEMBER:

‘EVERY TEMPTATION THAT HAS COME YOUR WAY IS THE KIND THAT NORMALLY COMES TO PEOPLE. FOR GOD KEEPS HIS PROMISE. HE WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO BE TEMPTED BEYOND YOUR POWER TO RESIST; BUT AT THE SAME TIME YOU ARE TEMPTED, HE WILL GIVE YOU THE STRENGTH TO ENDURE IT, AND SO PROVIDE YOU WITH A WAY OUT.’ (1 Corinthians 10:13).