Temptation - It's Cause

by J. BENNISON | Category: General | Jan 1958

Temptation is the believer's common enemy. Many Christians, when they are saved, expect to sail through life without much difficulty. Instead, they find it just the opposite. It is of the utmost importance that at the beginning we get a right view of this matter, for I am sure it will help us to rejoice in many a dark hour, when otherwise we would give up in despair. Sad to say, that, with all of us at some time, we have yielded to temptation, but let it be said too, that there have also been times when, through God, we have triumphed. There is no escape from temptation's many-sided attacks and so long as we arc in the body these will continue. With subtle craftiness the adversary will assail us ; with dogged perseverance he will endeavour to bring about our downfall. When we are tempted, we either conquer or are conquered. Alas ! that it is we may often ~o down James tells us-" Blessed is the man that endureth temptation : for when he hath been approved, he shall receive the crown of life " (1. 12).

Temptation in itself is not sin, hut yielding to it is sin. There is no sin until by a voluntary act of the will we succumb to whatever the temptation may be. Moreover we can rest assured of this, that God will not suffer us to be tempted above that we are able; but will with the temptation make also the way of escape (1 Corinthians 10.13).

"Though God allows it, He is not its author. The Scriptures are abundantly clear on this matter, " Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God; ... He Himself tempteth no man" (James 1.18). "Each man when he is tempted (verse 14) is drawn away by his own lust." There are three definite causes, all working together-the world, the flesh and the devil. From within we have the flesh, and from without the world and the devil. The devil works through the lusts of the flesh and by the enticements of the world ; these are the means he uses to allure us into temptation. The three operate together, so that it behoves us ever to be on our guard, ever on the alert and ready when the attack comes.

"The world." John tells us that " all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes and the vainglory of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world" (1 John 2.16). Here we have a trinity of evil dogging our steps right on to the end of life's journey. This world in which we were born is the devil's magnet to draw our hearts away from Christ. It supplies what the adversary uses to stir up the lust of the flesh or the vainglory, the pride of life. The apostle Paul tells us that the "fashion of this world passeth away " ; it could be rendered, " the stage scenery which is ever changing." So that, anything in this transient scene which absorbs us, gripping us in such a way that the Lord is left out, is a temptation of the world. Well might we say

Oh let me know Thee near me!

The world is ever near;

I see the sights that dazzle,

the tempting sounds I hear."

"The flesh." How can I know a temptation which is of the flesh? It has often been pointed out that if you drop the last letter in the word "flesh," and then spell it backwards, you get the word " self." A temptation of the flesh is selfishness, gratifying one's own desires, cravings and passions. Indeed there are many different manifestations of the flesh, and in Galatians 5.19-21 the apostle enumerates various manifestations of the self-or flesh-life, and what an ugly list it is! Though many even in their unsaved days would not be guilty of some of these flagrant sins, it must be admitted that the impulses and desires of the carnal nature are toward them. Then we must remember that the Lord Jesus proves guilt, although the actual act has not been committed, if there has been the impure look or the unholy desire (Matthew 5.28). Knowing something too of our own evil hearts (apart from the precious blood of Christ and the indwelling Spirit of purity and grace), we confess in Paul's own words - " In me, that is, in my flesh dwelleth no good thing" (Romans '1. 18).

The Devil." Every temptation is of the devil, whether it is the lust of the flesh or the enticements of the world. " Your adversary, the devil," aided by myriads of wicked spirits waiting to execute his plans, is working might and main to bring about your downfall. Peter, who so describes him, speaks from bitter experience. Various expressions are used of him in the Scriptures, all of which warn us of the character of this arch-enemy. He appears as "an angel of light," "a roaring lion," and has been "a murderer from the beginning " ; he is " the deceiver," " the accuser," " a liar arid the father thereof, " " the god of this world, " " the prince of this world " "the prince of the power of the air." Yet though he is all this, remember his power is limited; he is not co-equal with God. The Devil is not omnipotent, omniscient, or omnipresent. He is really a conquered foe. Our Lord utterly defeated him, rendering him powerless, and with the Lord's help we too can be victorious. When he comes to tempt us, let us remember what James says

" Resist the devil, and he will flee from you " (4.7).

Yield not to temptation,

For yielding is sin

Each victory will help you

Some other to win

Fight manfully onward,

Dark passions subdue,

Look ever to Jesus,

He'll carry you through.

Ask the Saviour to help you,

Comfort, strengthen, and keep you,

He is willing to aid you,