Dealing with Temptation

(We will want to when we understand how much God loves us.)

"Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof." Romans 6:12. No one wants to admit they have specific lusts (any sinful desire). We don't freely talk about such things. Our own bad habits embarrass us, and if reproved, we're often upset and sometimes very angry. This kind of reaction is due to the sinful nature.

Preachers and teachers of the Scriptures find it hard to speak of specific sins in the pulpit, and when they do, it's the human tendency to apply any references to sin to our neighbor instead of ourselves. This is probably why some people are so free at criticizing others, instead of searching their own hearts and admitting their own shortcomings, and making efforts to overcome.

The Bible deals with temptation and sin without holding back for fear of offending. The Lord wants us to search the Scriptures and our own hearts, to know how and why we're tempted and what to do about it. We are given a goal, and ways to reach that goal.

“We are now living in the great day of atonement. In the typical service, while the high priest was making the atonement for Israel, all were required to afflict their souls by repentance of sin and humiliation before the Lord, lest they be cut off from among the people. In like manner, all who would have their names retained in the book of life should now, in the few remaining days of their probation, afflict their souls before God by sorrow for sin and true repentance. There must be deep, faithful searching of heart. The light, frivolous spirit indulged by so many professed Christians must be put away. There is earnest warfare before all who would subdue the evil tendencies that strive for the mastery. The work of preparation is an individual work. We are not saved in groups. The purity and devotion of one will not offset the want of these qualities in another. Though all nations are to pass in judgment before God, yet He will examine the case of each individual with as close and searching scrutiny as if there were not another being upon the earth. Everyone must be tested and found without spot or wrinkle or any such thing.” Great Controversy Page 489.

"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. . .That the righteousness of the law be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Romans 8:1, 4.

To walk after the flesh is to let our fleshly desires control us. God gave us reasoning powers in the front part of our brains. This is where the Holy Spirit works. The higher powers of our minds must rule over us. The fleshly lusts (appetites and passions) are perverted because of the sinful nature we inherited from Adam. Yet, it's not our sinful natures which make us guilty. Nor are we guilty because we are tempted, but condemnation comes when we cherish the temptations Satan tries to implant in our minds.

“Judas had the same precious opportunities as had John to study and imitate the Pattern. He listened to the lessons of Christ, and his character might have been transformed by divine grace. But while John was earnestly warring against his own faults, and seeking to assimilate to Christ, Judas was violating his conscience, yielding to temptation, and fastening upon himself habits of dishonesty that would transform him into the image of Satan.” Review and Herald, 2-15-1881.

The Spirit of God helps in the battle we must daily fight over selfish desires. "Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkeness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof." Romans 13:13, 14. How do we make "provision for the flesh"? By going where temptation is, by cherishing evil thoughts, by insisting on our own way.

Temptation is a powerful enemy. It can sneak up on us like a thief. It can strike us down before we know what hit us. How can we deal with it successfully? The Bible tells us, "There hath no temptation taken you but such as in common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." 1 Corinthians 10:13.

“Christ will never abandon the soul for who He has died. The soul may leave Him, and be overwhelmed with temptation, but Christ can never turn from one for whom He has paid the ransom of His own life. Could our spiritual vision be quickened, we should see souls bowed under oppression and burdened with grief, pressed as a cart beneath sheaves, and ready to die in discouragement. We should see angels flying swiftly to these tempted ones, who are standing as on the brink of a precipice. The angels from heaven force back the hosts of evil that encompass these souls, and guide them to plant their feet on the sure foundation. The battles waging between the two armies are as real as those fought by the armies of the world, and on the issue of the spiritual conflict eternal destinies depend. Live in contact with the living Christ, and He will hold you firmly by a hand that will never let go. Know and believe the love that God has for us, and you are secure; that gives us a fortress impregnable to all the delusions and assaults of Satan. ‘The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.’” Signs of the Times, 11-4-1903.

"Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." 2 Corinthians 7:1. The spirit this text speaks of is the spirit of our own minds--our motives, attitudes, and emotions are involved. God, in other places, promises to give us a new spirit, to free us of perverted or selfish thoughts and motives. Our Lord will be thorough in His work of cleansing. "This say then, walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh." Galatians 5:16. This is the Holy Spirit working with our spirits.

"They that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." Galatians 5:24, 25. Paul says, "I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live." Galatians 2:20. We live because Christ dwells in us through the Holy Spirit. Thus, the fruit of the Spirit will appear in our lives.

Will we still be tempted? Yes. Satan isn't ready to give us up until Christ's second coming. We're in a war, but we must always use the sword of the Spirit (the word of God) to fight that war. Our faith in God will shield us from Satan's darts (see Ephesians 6:10-18).

We struggle with selfishness every day, and we need to surrender to God and die to self each day (and even each hour). It's vital "that ye put off concerning the former conversation (and conduct) the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lust; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." Ephesians 4:22-24.

To be renewed by the Spirit is a process that takes time. We will face temptations daily, but we may also be renewed daily and gain victories daily, as we submit to God. He wants to restore us into His holy image, and He will, as we cooperate.

“He who would build up a strong symmetrical character, must give all and do all for Christ. The Redeemer will not accept divided service. Daily he must learn the meaning of self-surrender. He must study the Word of God, getting its meaning and obeying its precepts. Thus he may reach the highest standard of Christian excellence. There is no limit to the spiritual advancement that he may make if he is a partaker of the divine nature. Day by day God works in him, perfecting the character that is to stand in the day of final test. Each day of his life he ministers to others. The light that is in him shines forth, and stills the strife of tongues. Day by day he is working out before men and angels a vast, sublime experiment, showing what the gospel can do for fallen human beings.” Review and Herald, 7-7-1904.

Temptation must be squarely faced. To dally with it is to play with fire. We need to deal with it whether we want to or not, yet God assures us, "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. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil; neither tempteth He any man: but every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." James 1:12-15.

When we learn to hate sin, and realize how much it drags us down into the depths of misery and death, temptation will lose its power over us. Satan may cause us a certain amount of pain and suffering, but he can't destroy our connection with our Saviour against our wills.

“There are those who have known the pardoning love of Christ and who really desire to be children of God, yet they realize that their character is imperfect, their life faulty, and they are ready to doubt whether their hearts have been renewed by the Holy Spirit. To such I would say, Do not draw back in despair. We shall often have to bow down and weep at the feet of Jesus because of our shortcomings and mistakes, but we are not to be discouraged. Even if we are overcome by the enemy, we are not cast off, not forsaken and rejected of God. No; Christ is at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Said the beloved John, "These things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." 1 John 2:1. And do not forget the words of Christ, "The Father Himself loveth you." John 16:27. He desires to restore you to Himself, to see His own purity and holiness reflected in you. And if you will but yield yourself to Him, He that hath begun a good work in you will carry it forward to the day of Jesus Christ. Pray more fervently; believe more fully. As we come to distrust our own power, let us trust the power of our Redeemer, and we shall praise Him who is the health of our countenance.” Steps to Christ Page 64.

"As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance; but as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation (and conduct); because it is written, be ye holy; for I am holy." 1 Peter 1:14-16. It's possible to backslide into our former sins, but as we determine to fill our minds with His word and our lives with His way, we shall conquer.

In the matter of obedience, God gives us the easy part. We only need to choose His way. We make it hard for ourselves when we lean on our own meager strength and fail to acknowledge our total dependence on Him for life itself. We mortals are so foolish. How can we suppose we know more than our Creator what will give us lasting happiness? Temptations are so powerful because they offer us instant gratification. Our senses rule over us. The Bible speaks of sin being a love for idols. We love to indulge appetite, passions, pride, and all manner of selfish desires. Our carnal natures enslave us when we let them.

But when we belong to Christ, we'll consider ourselves strangers in this world, and anything it may offer us which tends to pull us away from our Saviour. The reason Satan can so easily deceive us is because we too often want to be deceived. It's easier to sin that way. "Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul." 1 Peter 2:11.

We who must deal with our sinful natures, are offered the divine nature to give us all the help we need. "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." 2 Peter 1:4.

Those who fail to make it often blame the Lord. "We can't help it," they say, "we're too weak." Yes, we are terribly weak in our human flesh, but the problem lies in our failure to trust in the Lord's divine power to save us from our sins. We should be thankful for His forgiving love, but His love does more than forgive us. It restores or remakes us. We need to trust God's love more than we do, then we can be victorious over every temptation. Doesn't the God who created our complex bodies and minds have enough power and wisdom to re-create us into His image?

“In his efforts to reach God's ideal for him, the Christian is to despair of nothing. Moral and spiritual perfection, through the grace and power of Christ, is promised to all. Jesus is the source of power, the fountain of life. He brings us to His word, and from the tree of life presents to us leaves for the healing of sin-sick souls. He leads us to the throne of God, and puts into our mouth a prayer through which we are brought into close contact with Himself. In our behalf He sets in operation the all-powerful agencies of heaven. At every step we touch His living power.” Acts of the Apostles Page 478.

Copyright 2000, Kathryn D. Search