Ever since Adam and Eve, temptation has been a crushing device for the devil. It is a wildly effective technique because it plays so well to our human nature. (Mark 14:38 – The spirit is indeed willing, but the flesh is weak.) I see temptation in my own life, of course. And I see it clearly in the lives of those around me. It really doesn’t matter your struggle: Alcohol. Depression. Anger. Drugs. Sex. Lying. Cheating. Chocolate Cake. Country Music. There are shades of temptation to match any weakness you have. You can count on it.

And while temptation can take me down before I know what hit me a great deal of the time, I am convinced that in the end, it is a gift from God.  Because, while God doesn’t tempt, he doesn’t prevent it either. And by allowing us to face our own humanity, to wage our own wars (with His support) and to wrestle with our own personal struggles, He provides the opportunity for us to grow in Him.

James 1:12 -15 –  Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been proved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. When desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

Temptation is a useful diagnostic tool. It is the first sign something is wrong. that something deep inside is bubbling up. It is a symptom with a root cause. It shows you a reflection. We shouldn’t view it as the problem itself. We should look harder for what facilitates the internal urge that leads us to be tempted in the first place.

Temptation is also an opportunity for us to develop perseverance. To sharpen our sword. To further our faith. To make Satan flee. It provides us with opportunities to lean on God and to see Him deliver. To build our resolve. To defy gravity.

1 Corinthians 10: 13 – No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

Temptation is a commonplace burden. We all face it. We all fail.  To quote the great slugger/philosopher Yogi Berra, “If the fans don’t come out to the ball park, you can’t stop them.” I translate that to mean that there will be some battles you don’t win. Don’t let the losses influence you more than the victories.  

Obviously, if you don’t handle temptation well, you will find yourself quickly drifting away from God’s Will. The burden of sin will grow. And ironically, the temptations will fade. At the point where you are fully committed to a specific sin, there is no need for you to be tempted, now is there? When sin is “full-grown” it doesn’t require nurturing.

So with that frame of mind, you should be welcoming of the temptation. It means you’re likely headed in the right direction and that you have been deemed worthy of battle by your maker. There is a struggle with a sin within you, and you are being presented with an opportunity to stamp it out. May your next battle be a victory!