TEMPTATION

Earlier today I wrote about “spiritual drift” and how seemingly small decisions can ultimately lead to some pretty significant outcomes…

When you think about people falling into temptation that destroys a marriage, rocks their world or withers their soul, you have to wonder, “Why? Why does it happen? Why do we choose to violate our values? We do we voluntarily give in to something that we know is ultimately going to wreak some destruction? Why do intelligent people keep engaging in stupid and dark actions that we know we’ll later be ashamed of? What’s the problem?”

Several decades ago, a guy by the name of Dietrich Bonhoeffer was executed by the Nazis. He was only thirty-nine years old when he died. But in just thirty-nine short years, he distinguished himself as a pastor, theologian and writer. Before his death he wrote a small book simply titled Temptation. I think this book contains one of the most vivid and haunting descriptions of how temptations that I’ve ever ran across…

I copied these words several years ago, and they continue to speak to me today… Take a few moments to read these lines slowly and carefully. Who knows, they could be very important when you face

“In our members there is a slumbering inclination towards desire which is both sudden and fierce. With irresistible power desire seizes mastery over the flesh. All at once a secret, smoldering fire is kindled. The flesh burns and is in flames. It makes no difference whether it is sexual desire, or ambition, or vanity, or desire for revenge, or love of fame and power, or greed for money, or, finally, that strange desire for the beauty of the world, of nature. Joy in God is in course of being extinguished in us and we seek all our joy in the creature.

At this moment God is quite unreal to us, He loses all reality, and only desire for the creature is real; the only reality is the devil. Satan does not here fill us with hatred of God, but with forgetfulness of God… The lust thus aroused envelops the mind and will of man in deepest darkness. The powers of clear discrimination and of decision are taken from us… It is here that everything within me rises up against the Word of God.” ~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Temptation

Wow! This is the story of the human race. It’s the story of you and me. It’s the story of Lot, his wife and a couple of daughters.

What do we do? How do we respond?

Let me close by sharing four bullets that will give you power to stand against temptation.

• Increase Your Joy!

A few years ago I heard John Ortberg share the following quote, “Failure to attain a deeply satisfying life always has the effect of making sinful actions seem good.”

I think he’s right! Turn up the level of JOY in your life!

• Stay Committed to Doing Life In Community.

Temptation tends to flourish when people live hidden, dark and lonely lives. But when people come out into the open light of authentic community, temptation doesn’t stand much of a chance.

Develop great, life-giving relationships with people who care enough to ask you the tough questions.

James 5:16 (MSG), Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed.

• Fill Your Heart and Mind With God’s Word.

One writer in Psalm 119:11 wrote this: “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”

When Jesus himself was tempted by the evil one, three times he responded to each temptation with these three words, “It is written…” followed by a quote from the book of Deuteronomy (8:3; 6:16; 8:2).

• Receive The Grace and Help God Has To Offer.

The evil one is so predictable. He’ll flaunt temptation before us as if it’s the only thing on the planet that will satisfy our longings. But the moment we give in and buy the line he’s selling, He then loves to pile on guilt and keep us from crying out to the only ONE who can possibly restore and forgive us.

That’s why the words of the writer in Hebrews 4:14-16 are so important.

Hebrews 4:15-16 (NCV / NLT), ...our high priest is able to understand our weaknesses. When he lived on earth, he was tempted in every way that we are, but he did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it.

So, today if you feel that you’re starting to drift, CRY OUT FOR GRACE. God will give it!