TEMPTATION
THE PRIMARY REASON BELIEVERS CONTINUE TO SIN IS BECAUSE WE HAVE NOT DECIDED TO STOP
Most Christians have come to terms with an acceptable level of sin in their lives and feel it is either unnecessary, too difficult, or too costly to be much better. This attitude is rooted in this truth: Each of us subconsciously measure ourselves based on our observations of other Christians or people we know, and once satisfied that we are at or above the “average,” are content to stay there. Our peers, rather than Christ, become our benchmark for holiness and obedience. In this Mega Concept we will deal with the issue of temptation.
Here’s how sin works to rob us from the joy of our salvation and cripple us spiritually: Our sinful thoughts lead to sinful acts, which become sinful habits, which shape our character and self-image. We then begin to doubt that God loves us, we question if we really love God, or that anyone else would love us, if they only knew our sin. Guilt over sin makes us feel all alone and unworthy, or hopeless that we can ever be free from sin's hold on us. Habitual sins are techniques we subconsciously develop to get our need for love met, or our fears overcome, in ways God says are wrong and unhealthy for us.
The good news is this: When we are truly born again or “made new” by the power of the Holy Spirit we have both the power and ability to do the will of God – that is to stop doing the things that displease God and begin doing the things that please him. Why is it then that we find ourselves still so prone to sin? It is because we are still not fully intentional about doing away with certain habitual sins.
Dallas Willard states, “To begin with, we must have it clearly fixed in our minds that what dominates us is not some invincible, overpowering cosmic force of evil. If we believe sin is irresistible it will invariably lead to giving in and giving up. If you convince yourself that you are helpless, you can stop struggling and just 'let it happen.' That will seem a great relief – for a while. You can once more be a 'normal' human being, but then you will have to live with the consequences." [1]
This is the truth: nothing has the power to tempt me to wrong action except I give it that power, by what I permit to be in me. This is true of anger, pride, foul language, materialism – you name it. No one can make me sin – it’s my choice. The real problem is, I enjoy some sins – that’s why I do them and I’m not really sure I want to stop! The AA program would be powerless to help anyone who has not decided to avoid drinking. Dallas Willard has said, "Those who say they 'cannot help it' are either not well informed, or they have not decided to live without it." [2]
Sin begins with a temptation. The main elements of temptation are these: the option of sinning is considered, we are reminded of a biblical truth by the Holy Spirit, we weigh the cost/benefits ratio, there are often pressures from alien influences to disobey (Satan, the power of sin, non-biblical worldviews, or other people), and a moral choice is made. All this may happen in seconds for habitual sins, but with more deliberation with other sins. Up to this point no sin has been committed, but it is contemplated. There is one upside to temptation. Rick Warren says, “Temptation is the opportunity to do good. You can't claim to be good if you've never been tempted to be bad." [3]
Satan uses three distortions of grace to weaken believers’ resolve. The first is the idea that if I’ve already been forgiven, why not do what I really want to do? Doesn’t God want me happy? The second is a question Satan tempts us to ask: “How disobedient can I be and still be saved?” The last distortion is more of an observation: “The last time I sinned, nothing bad happened; maybe God really does just forgive and forget.” Grace becomes an excuse for sin, rather than a gift to honor.
The way to break the habit of sin is to understand exactly what sin is and what Christ wants us to do about it -- this we get from serious and regularly study of Scripture. (Forget how other people, even Christians, are behaving!) Secondly, ask the Holy Spirit to empower you to resist sin and remind you of what pleases and displeases God. Thirdly, meditate on your habitual sins and make specific plans regarding what you will do differently the next time you are tempted. Fourth, if necessary, remove yourself from tempting places, people, and activities. Fifth, resist the impulse to do the next thing you know or suspect is sin, even “small sins."
Being born again or “saved” was an event, but following Jesus involves a lifetime of behavior and thought choices. Although there are a number of major moral and spiritual decisions which can significantly affect our lives (crises’ of faith), it is the sum total of the dozens of smaller spiritual battles won or lost every day that most shapes our character. Both disobedience and obedience are cumulative. Obedient believers grow more bold, obedient, fruitful, and more confident in God – disobedient “believers," just the opposite – more disobedient. (See Mark 4:23-25.)
Romans 6:12-14; Phil. 1:9-11; Col. 3:5-8; James 1:13-15; I John 2:15-17; Matt. 26:41; I Cor. 10:12-13; II Cor. 10:5
- Dallas Willard, The Divine Conspiracy (New York: Harper San Francisco Publishers), pages 342, 343.
- Willard, The Divine Conspiracy, page 345.
- Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life (Grand Rapids, MI, Zondervan), page 201.