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James 1: 14 Each one is tempted when, by
his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. (NIV)
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Temptation is a tough business. It is managed by a real pro.* |
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Satan is very
good at his job. I don’t say that because I admire him – I say it because we
need to be aware of it every moment of every day. The Bible calls him the
deceiver. By twisting the truth ever-so-slightly, he can make us believe
a lie. As observed by another, he
“promotes his own . . . counterfeit version of love, joy, and everything
else good that God has created.”*
When it comes
to temptation, Satan does his homework. He mass-produces enticements and evil,
but he also personalizes it for individuals. I recently heard a prayer request
for the daughter of a friend who left Christianity to become a Mormon. How many
of us could include that in our list of temptations?
James says it
is our evil desires that lead us into trouble. Because we have bought into
society’s definition of evil, we reserve the word for only the most heinous
perversions and atrocities. Tempted to gossip, tell a little white lie, take
the Lord’s name in vain, go somewhere you shouldn’t – so what? It won’t hurt
anyone so go ahead. Evil? That would be the child molester or the axe murderer;
not me.
I have heard
that we underestimate Satan’s power to tempt us and overestimate our power to
resist. It is true. If we are not vigilant and prayerful, we will be dragged
away and enticed and walk right into sin of our own free will. Jesus showed us
how to resist temptation: Arm yourself with the Word and wield your weapon
vigorously! Bathe yourself in prayer and never dry off!
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Don’t ever think you are immune to temptation.* |
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