Temptation

"Do not eat the fruit" was a guideline that was communicated directly to Adam. Eve was not even alive when God spoke this statement to Adam. The severity and importance of the guideline is conveyed firsthand and in-person, which includes tone, passion, and reality. Eve is created after this guideline is conveyed to Adam. This leaves Eve trusting Adam's firsthand knowledge, as well as the tone, the passion and actual reality of the guideline (less believable?) Reading in 1 Thessalonians 5:22 (KJV), we see that it states, "Abstain from all appearance of evil". What is at the core of temptation?  Let's explore.

Tempting

The very word temptation seems to cause a deep and internal knee-jerk in our spirits... at the core of our subconscious being and soul. The word 'tempt' is the basic word for temptation, which means; "to want something or to want to do something".  This is an action or something that causes movement...  causes a reaction...   it is a verb (an action word), and that is what they do (pun intended).

Do you see that?

"To do" a thing is an action.  In fact, "To do nothing" is also an action, albeit an inaction. You are making a choice to apply constraint and patience. In our human lives, a temptation is something that entices us or lures us... even changes our direction in life.  When looking at both sides of temptation, it is not only something that draws me closer (food, movies, relationships), but it can even chase you away, as in;

·        I was tempted to run

·        I was tempted to change jobs

·        I was tempted to move to another seat on the bus

Temptations are typically unique...  the things that tempt me are different than the things that tempt you. Too many people judge and condemn others because they are doing something that is an utter temptation for them (they are trying to avoid it), but others seem to be gleefully engaged and able to moderate, tolerate and even manage it all.  Remember, a temptation is the object (food, movies, relationship), but the core word is ‘tempt’ (to want to do something or want something).  The 'thing' is the subject for where your temptation is focused, but at its core is the action itself and learning to resist. Which is to remind you to not be as willing or ready, even zealous, about the temptation.

The action or verb of tempt is most heavily attributed to either good or bad. We are rarely tempted to be plain, basic, or just stagnant.  When you consider a temptation, it is rarely for something good. Almost always, it is in the context of things to avoid.

Please consider too, temptations and the things that 'move' you or distract you will change throughout your life.  As our lives mature and experience life, our interests change, our intrigue changes, and even worse, the things that satisfy us change, too.  As a child, an exploding firecracker was ‘all the world’ to me. Now, not so much! When you consider temptations, you had when you were five years old, they do not compare to the challenges you face today.  Sure, the lure for a donut or sweets or even just being bratty are always there, but the things that entice you change as you progress in life.

What's the Point?

There!  What is the very point behind temptations, anyway?  I mean, more often than not, temptations lead to brokenness, anguish, regret and even downright despair.  How can that be good for the human experience? Why does God even need to use this tactic, this way of guiding us?

At the core, a temptation faces us with choices.  Too often we do not really stop to consider the choices or the outcomes or even the morals behind the direction the temptation may lead us.  Whether we are callous or oblivious of how a temptation is directing our very footsteps, it is actually shaping our very character, too.

The point or purpose behind a temptation varies from person to person, too.  As noted earlier, the thing that may tempt me is nothing for you. Also though, a temptation may be a moot point. I mean, a bald person would not be tempted to part their hair on the other side of their head.  Or a person riding a motorcycle would not be tempted to roll down the window and experience the fresh air.  These are a bit silly, I know, and I am trying to not be too detailed with examples.  It is just that the point for a temptation impacts each of us in different ways.

Told to Avoid

Throughout the course of our lives, we are told directly the things we are to avoid.  Regrettably, this seems to bring our focus to the thing, as opposed to help us avoid them.  In the case of Adam and Eve, the beautiful garden had so many great things in it, and the Tree of Life must have been quite gorgeous to look upon.  We were told not to eat the fruit, though.  In so many other places in the bible, we are told of things to avoid, such as; adultery, being drunk, murder, fraud, gossip and the list just seems to do on and on.

Know Better to Avoid

Much less obvious are those temptations that are based within our hearts and minds. In other words, a fear of heights might keep you from getting on a carnival ride.  As you watch other people screaming with glee, with excitement and smiling from ear-to-ear, you are tempted to ‘do that’, but somehow you seem to ‘know better’ and avoid it altogether. Therein, the temptation is still there but you are able to ‘think it through’ and avoid the temptation.

Not a Problem to Avoid

Then again, there are temptations that never even phase you or me.  Again, these vary from person to person, so it is very tough to be too critical when we witness someone succumbing to a temptation that is not all that tough for us.  It is tough for them, but not for us.  So much so, you may not even consider it a temptation at all and are befuddled that someone else stumbles over it.

Temptations in our lives are quite similar to a magnet and paperclips – these two can represent temptation; the paperclips are choices being pulled in toward the magnet. The ‘law of nature’ on earth has established that many metals are automatically attracted to a magnet (typically steel or carbon types of metal).  These are known as Ferromagnetic metals — the ones that show strong, obvious attraction to ordinary magnets (i.e. iron, nickel, and cobalt, and certain rare‑earth elements).  These metals ‘do not have a choice’ and are drawn to the magnet.  Too often in our lives, it can ‘feel’ as though you do not have a choice and cannot seem to avoid surrendering to the temptation.

Sure, we humans are not inanimate objects like metal and magnets.  Do not miss the point regarding how rather automatic these temptations seem to impact our lives. Without giving attention to their ‘pull’, we can get attached to something without really being aware of it.

Another type of temptation shows up the moment you find someone else’s wallet. Now, it is not the wallet itself as much as the potential cash that triggers the internal tug-of-war within our lives. In some ways, it is easier to attempt to return the wallet if someone else is with you when you find the wallet.  There is something of an accountability factor that helps influence our ‘selflessness’ in the matter.

As with all temptations, it is when we are alone or when our temptation is a complete secret to others around us that the ‘proof in the pudding’ shows up.  When we are pretty sure no-one is watching, or no-one will know, it seems to give our character an opportunity to be true to itself, or at least ‘the real you’ part of your life is a bit more obvious.  Now, the fabulous news about any temptation we face is that along with that temptation, God provides a way out of it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 reminds us, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

NowTo the HowTo

Easily, recurring temptations and distractions in our lives can wear on a soul.  I mean, there are times that we seem to be getting tempted by the same thing over and over again.  Not so much every day, but over time you may realize, “Hey… I have faced this struggle before” (i.e. addictions, yearnings, consumptions, etc).  So many times, though, it is not because God is taunting you, or punishing you, or even just being ornery with you.  We are reminded in James 1:2 that we are to, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;” and this is not a ‘grin and bear it’ approach, but a reminder that God is challenging you to growth, to faith, and certainly to a deeper and finer walk with Him.

Granted, we are not going to be running gleefully at any opportunity to face another temptation, but when you are facing another one… take the time to recognize God in the midst of it/them.  These temptations are not ‘chastisement’, so avoid getting onto yourself and reviewing any sin or wrongdoing you may have done.  This is not a ‘blame’ thing!  Temptations in our lives help strengthen us, help give is focus (as distracting as they seem to be at the moment), and help ensure we are turning to God and listening for His leading.

In fact, James 1:12 goes further to encourage us with, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”, which is such a wonderful promise.  God is not dragging you through some temptation ‘for the heck of it’, as it were.  Or, some kind of ‘sport’ for God and the Angels to pass the time watching you deal with this.

In fact, the deeper reason and purpose for God passing you before these temptations in your life is best explained in the Parable of the Sower (Luke 8:5-8), which depicts seeds that fell on various types of ground (rocky ground, shallow ground, and great soil), and Jesus had to explain it to the disciples.  He said to them “They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.” (John 8:13). It is likely where that famous phrase originated, which states; “When the going gets tough, the tough get going”.

The challenges and temptations we face in life will vary from those that others face.  Many are the same for others, but how you handle them is your own journey with the Lord.

Circling back to the temptation that Adam and Eve faced, was given face-to-face with Adam, but not to Eve (she was made from Adam’s rib after God’s discussion with Adam), but the temptation is identical.  Adam benefitted from the tone of God, from His actual presence and received God’s passion about this directive… first-hand.  Eve was informed by Adam later and must not have taken it quite so seriously.

This does make me wonder how our lives would be now if Eve had said to that ‘beguiling serpent’, “Hey… God will be back in the garden later this afternoon, how about we check with Him because I recall Adam saying something about this fruit, and I don’t want to get this wrong”.  Would we still be living in the lap-of-luxury?

For you, as you are facing a temptation, take the time to “check with God” or to “get in God’s face”, as it were… to check with Him about this encounter you are facing.  But, if you are like me, some temptations are actually sin and we rarely take the time to check-in with God about those temptations.  Nonetheless, if you can muster the patience to check with God about the temptation, you will have better direction from Him.

One technique you can apply to help is to keep a “Temptation Journal”.  I mean, for a week, note moments of temptation.  Something that helps identify triggers and outcomes.  Then, you have some better prayer material, but also some ‘this just happened to me’ topics to discuss with a mentor, confidant or prayer group.