| By Jerince Peter |
Temptations are depicted not as sins themselves, but as dangerous precursors to sin that can lead us away from God's will.
Modern temptations, ranging from pornography and excessive wealth accumulation to procrastination and lack of spiritual discipline, are highlighted as various ways the world and the flesh try to entrap the children of God.
Jesus' teaching in Luke 22:40 urges us to pray against falling into temptation, emphasizing the importance of being aware and proactive in our spiritual lives.
The process of temptation is outlined in four stages:
attention
contemplation
conviction, and
sinful action
The power of temptation lies in the false promise of happiness, as noted by John Piper. It is crucial to recognize that temptations are multifaceted and can manifest in both obvious and subtle forms, such as disobedience, lack of responsibility, and distractions. We need to be vigilant against underestimating these underrated temptations and this calls for a comprehensive approach to recognizing and combating them.
Practical ways to overcome temptations include recognizing their deadly potential, understanding our identity in Christ, and fighting temptation at its root. Believers are reminded that we are tempted by the world, our own desires, and the devil, but through the renewal of our minds and reliance on the Holy Spirit, we can resist these temptations.
We are encouraged to fight temptation at the stage of attention, not relying on our strength but on the peace and victory offered by Jesus, as highlighted in John 16:33 and Galatians 5:16.
"What I say is this: let the Spirit direct your lives, and you will not satisfy the desires of the human nature." Galatians 5:16