Understanding Temptation
What is Temptation?
Temptation is the act of influencing by exciting hope or desire. It’s the desire to have or do something that you know you should avoid. Temptation also is that which tempts; an inducement; an allurement, especially to something evil. Something that seduces or has a quality to seduce.
How Temptation Comes?
“13. Let no one say when he is tempted, I am tempted from God; for God is incapable of being tempted by [what is] evil and He Himself tempts no one.
14. But every person is tempted when he is drawn away, enticed, and baited by his own evil desire (lust, passions).
15. Then the evil desire, when it has conceived, gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully matured, brings forth death.
James 1:13–15 (Amp)
From this scripture we can deduce that: –
- There is no temptation from God. In other words, God is not the origin of temptation.
- God cannot be tempted by evil.
- God himself tempts no one.
- We are tempted when we are drawn away, enticed, and baited by our own evil desire which comes from our lust and passions. Here we are being told that we –Our own flesh, is the origin of temptation. They originate from us and then give the devil access to our lives.
- Temptation is not a sin but always points us in the direction of sin.
- Temptation is a desire — an evil desire, when this desire overcomes us, that is when it becomes sin.
- Sin must mature before bringing forth death.
- Therefore, temptation is an evil desire, that can lead to sin and death.
- Note this, Satan or the devil only has power to tempt us when we give him access through our evil desire.
- In other words, we are the trigger of temptation in our lives through our desires.
Now Here is Temptation
13 — For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where it leads] has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not adjusted and adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear]. But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation, He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently._
1 Corinthians 10:13 (Amp)
Five Things to Note About Temptation
- It’s common to man.
Temptation is just meant for man. For it originates from man. It is faced by man. It is defeated or overcome by man. Any temptation you are facing is not new or strange to man. It is what men have been experiencing, are experiencing, and will be experiencing. It is just common to man.
” For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin),[no matter how it comes or where it leads] has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not adjusted and adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear]
2. God is faithful.
Even under the pressure of trials and temptation, God is still faithful. No matter what you are seeing, feeling, hearing and passing through, God is still faithful.
“But God is faithful [to His Word and to his compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] “
3. The temptation is your level.
Each temptation is to your level. It has to be weighed before being released to come. Like a see-saw, you sit on one side, the temptation on the other side. When you are heavier than the weight and pressure of the temptation, it cannot be released. Once your balance i.e your weight and that of the temptation are the same, then, and only then, the temptation is released to come into your life.
“and He (God) [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, “
4. Each temptation has a hidden door that leads to the way of escape.
In each and every temptation, there is a hidden door. This door is opened by God amid the climax of the temptation. This is when your power is to resist the temptation and the force that the temptation is putting on your balance. Then, this door is open so that you may escape or move aside from facing the pressure the temptation is putting on you directly, to sustain it.
“but with the temptation, He will [always]also provide the way out (the means of escape to a landing place), “
This door and way of escape, your giving cannot open it. Prayers cannot open it. Fasting cannot open it. This door is just open by God when you remain faithful to him and face the temptation without wavering.
5. Each temptation is bearable.
Each temptation is bearable because you have a faithful God who will not let you be tempted beyond your ability and the temptation is always equal to the power of resistance you have against it.
“that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently.”
Prayer & Meditation
2. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Father God, teach me and help me to see what you have put for me beyond this temptation; that I may focus on this reward. That I may despise the shame of the temptation and overcome it, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
By Gilbert Magomere Ayieko, Teacher of the Word of God
Email: ayiekogilbert0@gmail.com
Social Media: Facebook: Gil Ayi. YouTube: Pastor Gilly. WhatsApp: @pst Gilly.
