When Temptation Calls!
It does not take much for us to fall into temptation. Temptation will always be present, It’s life. It comes in different packages such as wanting to eat foods you know you should not be eating because you’re on a fast, listening to secular music knowing it does not glorify Christ, wanting to give someone a piece of our mind but you are working on your attitude and self-growth . It looks different to everyone. How do you handle temptation? Do you know how to handle temptation? What are you tempted with daily?
James 1:2 says; consider it a great joy when you experience various trials. When I first read this I thought how can you go through hardships and find great joy while going through it? That sounds crazy!!! But If you keep reading it says because (v3-4) “your faith is being tested which produces endurance, and when you’ve let endurance have its full effect you become mature, complete, lacking nothin”.
( paraphrased) I don’t know about you but I want to be mature, complete and not lacking anything.
Temptation is common to humanity ( 1 Corinthians 10:13). God provides a way so that we are able to endure, so we become subject to the flesh.
What Temptation is:
Temptation is said to be “ The desire to do something, especially something wrong or unwise”.
That sounds about right to me. Nothing good comes out of falling into temptation. There is usually a consequence following, and I’m sure none of us like consequences. It doesn’t take much for us to fall into temptation either, a weak moment is all is takes. If you’re wondering why we are tempted it says in James 1:14-15; But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desire. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin. Let me also make this quick statement God will not tempt you! ( James 1:13) God will convict you in hopes you turn and draw back to him. If you are being tempted check and see if you have been spending time with God. Have you been praying. Have you been seeking his face. What has been taking up your time/space or should I say Who has been taking up your time and space?
3 Categories of Temptation. (1 John 2:15-17)
1) The Lust of the Flesh- The thing our physical body craves.
2) Lust of The Eyes- The things that look good or that we think make us look good.
3) The Pride of Life- The things that give us status.
So let’s break this down a little bit.
The Flesh
The flesh is the BIG ONE!! Not a single soul on this planet has NEVER been tempted by the flesh. If you say you’ve never been tempted you lied! All it takes is an image and your triggered which could cause us to submit to our flesh. It could be porn, pictures on Instagram or pictures your girlfriend/boyfriend may have sent you. It could also be a touch, reading certain materials such as a book. It could even be the music you listen to. Our flesh is so sensitive and it’s important to be mindful of what we put in front of our eyes, ears and even hands.
Not too long ago I was on TikTok and i don’t know why but it seems like after a certain time some of the content is very sexual almost like TikTok after dark. I was scrolling through TikTok and I love some of the story times that they have. People talk about their dating experience, family drama, their day, friendship drama, ect. But, there was this one particular night I came across this story time that had about 20 parts and it was interesting. She was talking about her dating experience when she was younger and how she was dating this gang member, but the further I got into the story time it went from PG to PG-13 to R- Rated to M ( for Mature), and I felt that shift of my emotions and inappropriate feelings and I knew it was time to not just get off that persons page, but it was time to log off of TikTok for the night. I don’t go on TikTok after 10:00pm anymore. I have to set boundaries for myself so I don’t fulfill the Lust of My Flesh.
It’s that easy to fall into temptation. Something so simple as a TikTok video that starts off innocent but takes a turn and instead of you turning off you submit to your flesh and now your having sexual dreams or end up feeling and touching on yourself because your horny. Let’s just be honest. Same goes for music. Music definitely causes the lust of our flesh to wake up. Be careful of what you put before you.
For those who are dating it’s important to put up boundaries. If you know you have a weakness for a mans touch and should not go any further than handshake because a hug will take you over the top ,then stick with the handshake. If you know you can’t just give a simple peck when kissing because that will lead you to going further don’t even kiss. Stay away from whatever will cause you to fall into temptation or sin. It’s when you open that door of opportunity that’s where things go down hill and before you know it your in a position you did not want to be in.
Lust of The Eyes
When you desire something with your eyes your saying that you want what you want regardless of what God says, because it looks good to you. That’s a dangerous place to be. Looks are deceiving just ask Eve. The Ten Commandments also speaks on lusting with your eyes that can lead to being covetous and coveting other people’s belonging (reference Exodus 20:17). Your friend, relatives, even a stranger may have something you want and because it looks good to you, you want what they have and will do whatever you have to do to get it.
Satan tried this with Jesus as well after He had prayed in the wilderness. Satan took Jesus to the High Mountain and showed him all the kingdom and said if he worshiped him, he would give Jesus all of what he saw. Thank God Jesus had wisdom and answered accordingly.
People today would’ve fell for that trap, I probably would have fallen for that trap. We can be blinded by worldly possessions and fail to remember that these things are temporary! They will fade and no longer be. We have to follow Jesus’ example. You know that saying “ all that glitter isn’t gold” yeah it falls into this category. We don’t need all this fame and fortune. The most important thing is knowing Christ, the power of his resurrection, share his suffering and becoming like him in his death. (Philippians 3:10)
The Pride of Life
The first word I see is PRIDE. Pride itself is a sin that God hates the most. God hates Pride because it’s a hindrance to seeking him. Some people want the accolades, the applause the notoriety. They want a title that makes them feel important and known. Let’s use the example of Lucifer aka satan. Lucifer was a beautiful angel and was near-perfect but defied God. Lucifer allowed his beauty, intelligence, power and the gifts that he had to make him big headed (puffed up/ prideful) to where he wanted to be God, he wanted all the glory and praise that belonged to God. Lucifer wanted to take Gods place. That’s where he messed up and was kicked out of heaven.
Proverbs 16:18; Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
( Scripture for reference: Ezekiel 28, Isaiah 14)
When you allow your position, gifts, wisdom, ect to make you think you are better than, your above people, or it was all you no help needed when we know we can’t do anything without God you have let the Pride of Life creep in. We need to give thanks to God in and for everything. When you become successful in life and achieve goals give glory and honor to God. Acknowledge that without Him none of this would be possible. Give honor to whom honor is due. We do nothing by self.
Ways to overcome Temptation:
Pray for Strength
Take heed to Gods word
Grown into spiritual maturity
Run away… not walk.. run away from dangerous spots
Remember that God has made provision to help up any tempting situation.
RESIST THE DEVIL!!!!!!!!!
So with all this being said, I pray that we will deal with temptation better. I pray that we do not fulfill the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes or the Pride of life. God has given us the biggest cheat sheet to overcome temptation and it’s the word of God. Let’s get before the Lord and His word and get filled with the truth so we can combat our flesh with His word.
We’ve got this!!!
Love you guys, xoxo ZM
