Overcoming Temptations
What is temptation?: Cambridge Dictionary of Temptation: “The wish to do or have something which you know you should not do or have”, “Something that makes you want to do or have something that you know you should not”
Sources of temptations: (a) Satan (Gen 3:1, Matt. 4:1); (b) The flesh (James 1:14), (c) Evil association (Prov.1:10) and (d) at times Christian friends (Matt. 16:22-23).
Temptation Vs Trial: The objective of temptation is to get the victim to err/fall while the objective of trial is to prove trust/faith in God. However, there are trial situations that may present itself as temptation. For example, God can allow certain situations to take place or certain events to show one one’s character, for He already knows what decision we will make beforehand.
Agents of temptations? * “Trusted people” (Friends, Associates, Colleagues, etc) * People we seek favour from * People who want to take advantage of us * Thoughts
Temptation process: (James 1:14-15) 14But every person is tempted when he is drawn away, enticed and baited by his own evil desire (lust, passions). 15Then the evil desire, when it has conceived, gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is fully matured, brings forth death. * Drawn away, enticed, baited by own desire (lust, passion) ... Drawn away from the path of righteousness ... Departing from the light * Yielding results in sin .... (What becomes sinful is not the temptation, but yielding) * Sin matures unto death
Who can be tempted: Everyone (Eve was tempted, David, Judas, Jesus)
HOW DOES TEMPTATION ARISE?
Temptations can come through many avenues. We shall list a few of them so that we shall know how to watch out. Temptations can come through:
(a) Poverty or prosperity (Prov. 30:9).(b) Discouragement (Ps. 42:11, 1 Kings 19:4).
(c) Pride, the case of Nebuchadnezzar’s fall (Dan. 4:30);
(d) Pleasure, that led Demas astray (11 Tim. 4:10)
(e) Desire for power, that brought a curse on Simon Magus (Acts 8:19);
Sources of temptations: (a) Satan (Gen 3:1, Matt. 4:1); (b) The flesh (James 1:14), (c) Evil association (Prov.1:10) and (d) at times Christian friends (Matt. 16:22-23).
Temptation Vs Trial: The objective of temptation is to get the victim to err/fall while the objective of trial is to prove trust/faith in God. However, there are trial situations that may present itself as temptation. For example, God can allow certain situations to take place or certain events to show one one’s character, for He already knows what decision we will make beforehand.
Agents of temptations? * “Trusted people” (Friends, Associates, Colleagues, etc) * People we seek favour from * People who want to take advantage of us * Thoughts
Temptation process: (James 1:14-15) 14But every person is tempted when he is drawn away, enticed and baited by his own evil desire (lust, passions). 15Then the evil desire, when it has conceived, gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is fully matured, brings forth death. * Drawn away, enticed, baited by own desire (lust, passion) ... Drawn away from the path of righteousness ... Departing from the light * Yielding results in sin .... (What becomes sinful is not the temptation, but yielding) * Sin matures unto death
Who can be tempted: Everyone (Eve was tempted, David, Judas, Jesus)
HOW DOES TEMPTATION ARISE?
Temptations can come through many avenues. We shall list a few of them so that we shall know how to watch out. Temptations can come through:
(a) Poverty or prosperity (Prov. 30:9).(b) Discouragement (Ps. 42:11, 1 Kings 19:4).
(c) Pride, the case of Nebuchadnezzar’s fall (Dan. 4:30);
(d) Pleasure, that led Demas astray (11 Tim. 4:10)
(e) Desire for power, that brought a curse on Simon Magus (Acts 8:19);