Posts Tagged: temptation

“Endurance in Testing”

On June 1, 2021 by Dteb With 0 Comments - down to earth believer

“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” (English Standard Version)

It is easy for me to think that my problems, struggles, and temptations are different from those of others. It is flattering (in a rather perverse manner) to think of my temptations as “unique”. If I can’t be special in some good way, by golly I’ll be unique in my vices!

There are two problems with this way of thinking. First, it is not a helpful way of thinking. Second, it isn’t true. Any human problem is likely to be true for all humans—or, at least, for many humans.

Have you ever watched a nature show on TV where lions, wolves, or some other predatory animal are chasing a herd of would-be dinner entrees? Have you noticed that it is the animal that can’t keep up with the herd (or that chooses to go its own way?) that ends up being on the menu? Our struggles, hang-ups, temptations, and addictions tend to isolate us. As long as they can succeed in getting us alone, they can have their way with us.

Leon Morris, in the Tyndale New Testament Commentary series, writes,

Temptation (see on v. 9) is sometimes understood simply as ‘test’ . . . , a meaning it certainly has on occasion. But here it is used in a broad sense which includes both ‘test’ and ‘temptation’. Nothing exceptional in either way had happened to the Corinthians. They had experienced only what is common to man. And God is not simply a spectator of the affairs of life; he is concerned and active. Believers can count on his help. He will always make a way out. This word (ekbasis) may denote a mountain defile. The imagery is that of an army trapped in rugged country, which manages to escape from an impossible situation through a mountain pass. The assurance of this verse is a permanent comfort and strength to believers. Our trust is in the faithfulness of God.

It is quite likely that the Christ-followers in Corinth to whom Paul was writing, were thinking that their temptations were unique to them. Why else would Paul remind them here that their struggles were simply human struggles?

There are really no unique struggles that any of us experience. We are unique, but our temptations are not.

And, of course, we need to remember that God is faithful and will make a way of escape. However, Paul is realistic. He points out that escape doesn’t mean that we can entirely get out of our temptations, only that we can endure them.

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“The Some/Son-One Who is With Us”

On June 24, 2019 by Dteb With 0 Comments - down to earth believer

A friend of mine, for whom I am an accountability partner, reported that, despite some temptations, he had done well.  My reply was as follows:

“Well done!  Thanks for the update!

I have heard it said, as you have also no doubt, that ‘God had one Son without sin, but no sons without temptation.’  It is good to always remember that Someone (who is also the Sonone/won) is with us at all times.”

I love playing with words, as you can tell from the above.

But this business of not being alone is not play.  Aloneness (or rather, loneliness) is no laughing matter.  Most of us feel lonely at times—even when we’re surrounded by people.

Addicts in particular tend to feel alone.  We frequently struggle with both self-hatred and loneliness.  To be imprisoned in solitary confinement with someone you hate is double punishment.

When an addict attends his/her first meeting, he/she frequently hears the words “You are not alone.”  Addicts hear the stories of others, and realize that perhaps, just maybe, they are not the only ones who struggle.  They are not, as “terminally unique” as they had thought.  And of course in the expression “terminally unique,” the emphasis is on “terminally”—as in terminally sick.

For those of us who are Christians, it is more than knowing that there are other people who share our struggles.  Christians believe that, in Jesus Christ, God took on a human identity, and experienced temptation and struggle just as we do.

Christians also believe that this same Jesus was raised from the dead, has ascended to Heaven, and has sent us the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is Jesus’ personal re-presentative.  That is to say, the Holy Spirit is Jesus’ presence within and among those of us who are believers.

Now, I must confess that most of the time I don’t feel real holy-spirit-y, or Jesus-y.  Most of the time, I feel entirely too me-ish.  However, I refuse to dumb down my beliefs to match what I feel like.

I believe that, even when my wife is out shopping (as she is right now), I am still not alone.  I believe that Someone is with me at all times—Someone who has been tempted, who has struggled, and who always stands ready to help.

Jesus said, just before his ascension to Heaven, “I am with you, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).  Either Jesus was telling me the truth, or my feelings are.  I think I’ll go with Jesus on this one!

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