Temptation is one of the key battlegrounds in spiritual warfare because it always offers a choice between good and evil, an occasion to do right or do wrong and offers either a stepping stone or a stumbling block in our spiritual growth. God certainly isn't the author of temptation, but if He allows it to enter into our lives, it's important for us to understand His purpose behind it.
Rick Warren has a great explanation of His purpose: "God develops the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control) in your life by allowing you to experience circumstances in which you are tempted to express the exact opposite quality." Simply stated, God allows temptation to help transform us into the image of His Son and grow in Christ likeness. The Bible tells us to have great joy in this process that Our Heavenly Father uses to strengthen and complete us (James 1:2-4). He promises to reward our perseverance (James 1:12) and not allow temptation beyond what we can handle and provide escape if needed (1 Corinthians 10:13).
When an opportunity to shade the truth to our own advantage comes along, we have a choice to make. When we're on the computer and a sexually-suggestive website link comes up, we have a choice to make. When an opportunity to serve God or stay within our comfort zone comes up, we have a choice to make. When a chance to put our wife's or our children's needs before our own, we have a choice to make. Let's remember James 1:4 and let perseverance finish it's work so that we may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
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Thanks so much for this encouragement, especially 1 Corinthians 10:13. It is good to be reminded of this. It gives me hope when I am inclined to think that I cannot resist a particular temptation. Jeff
ReplyDeleteIt never ceases to amaze me how what Satan intends for evil, God uses for good. Temptation can feel so defeating, yet He does provide all we need to handle it. Rick
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