Crossing The Threshold

Temptation; that lucrative, tantalizing thing which is so bad, yet so desirable. Of course temptation is something we should avoid, most would agree with that in theory. But in practice, is it really that bad? When someone finds themselves facing something that is not necessarily bad in itself but will lead to worse, they know they should resist, but it is so alluring, so…tempting. That steamy picture of someone half dressed, a provocative text that is mysteriously suggestive, that delicious cake sitting uneaten on the table, that desire for just one more drink; the almost-but-not-quite wrong is so inviting, so seemingly desirable. Is it really that bad?

Yes, yes it is. While it may seem innocent, and is not wrong in itself, the fact that it can and probably will lead to blatant sin should be a red flag. The problem with temptation is that it is so subjective. What is dangerously tempting for one person may have no affect on another.

Cake is perfectly innocuous. Eating cake is not wrong. For some people, cake could never lead to any kind of sin. But not for everyone. For some, like myself, it is a gateway to gluttony. It doesn’t matter that I could eat an entire cake and never gain an ounce. It doesn’t matter that eating cake is ok in itself. That temptation to start eating a treat like that will lead to over eating, to excess, to a lack of self control. But we are commanded to have self control, and giving in to my appetite and desire is just as wrong as giving in to stealing.

Some people, like my husband, are not visual. What they see does not affect them, so the pull of pornography is not something with which he has every struggled. There is no temptation there. But for others it is a very real battle. It is not necessarily wrong for them to see a person provocatively dressed on the street. How could they help seeing what is in front of them? But it could lead them to lust and even adultery.

That is the problem with temptation; the knowledge that that thing in itself is not wrong, and at the same time is so desirable and inviting. It is so easy to be persuaded to give in, to take a second look, a second helping, to dwell on it. But once a person gives in, they fall.

Luke 8:13 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Those on the rocky soil are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no firm root; they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away.

That is why the Bible says to flee temptation. Don’t even get close. Proverbs 5 talks about a woman who seduces men. The young man who is either ignorant or prideful will fall into her snare because he will either be unaware of the danger, or arrogantly assume that he can resist it. But if he goes near her he will fall. It encourages them to stay away from the street where she lives so that they will not fall into temptation. Don’t just avoid the sin, avoid the temptation.

We cannot always know when, where or how we will be tempted, but often we do. Often we could avoid sin if we would stay away from what will tempt us. The trick is knowing oneself, knowing what will tempt, and then having the self control to stay away from that. Only a fool will see something they know will tempt them to sin and go ahead thinking they can resist when the moment comes. We do not see when the moment comes, it is a blur, a grey shadow, and if we rashly court sin we will find it. The best policy to resist sin is to avoid temptation.

But what do we do when we are tempted, for temptation will come?

1 Corinthians 10:13 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

Resist, but in God’s power and strength, not ours. We could never resist temptation on our own. We have to have God’s help to avoid sin. God is faithful to us, no matter how unfaithful we are to Him. He will help us if we will but ask. He won’t let us get in over our heads, beyond the point of no return, if we will just turn to Him for help. He has a way of escape, so that we can get out of the temptation without falling into sin. We need to turn to God, admit our own weakness and inability to save ourselves, and rely on His power and strength to resist.

God has the power to keep us from sin, we have no strength to resist on our own, but at the same time we need to be wise. We should not “rely on God’s power to save us” while we boldly walk up to temptation. We are responsible for what we do, and God will not force us to not sin.

If we do not want to sin, we need to avoid that which will lead us to sin, even if it means giving up something we want or enjoy. If you know that you tend to drink too much, it is probably wise to avoid alcohol altogether, or only drink in a very controlled environment when you couldn’t possible have too much. If you know that you struggle with lust, avoid the magazine racks, websites and billboards with provocative pictures. If you know that having dessert around will tempt you to eat all of it, don’t make any unless you know there will be someone(s) around to help you eat it. Candy is one of my biggest temptations, so I don’t keep it in the house. There’s nothing wrong with eating candy, but once I start I can’t stop so I don’t buy it. I’ll have a piece once in a while, but I don’t keep it on hand.

Also, get accountability. Have someone who will help keep you accountable to what you are doing and where you are. Someone who will ask the hard questions.

Godliness requires work and effort. God won’t force us if we are not willing to do our part. Are you willing to do what it takes to be godly?