By Rev. S.M. Williams J.P.
One of the earliest recorded temptations in history is found in the biblical book of Genesis 3:6-7 that states: “So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed big leaves together and made themselves aprons.” By this narrative some Christians tend to think that most temptations emanate from women. Matthew 18:7 states: “Woe to the world for temptations to sin. For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the man by whom the temptation comes!” Some naïve theologians have peddled the idea that the name “woman” derives from the shortened form of the word that should have spelt “woeman” because she is alleged to have been responsible for bringing woe to mankind.
The greatest temptation known by Christians is that of Jesus by the devil for forty days while he fasted.
During the temptations the devil promised to give Jesus all the authority over all the kingdoms of the world if he should worship him. If Jesus our Lord and Saviour can be tempted by the devil who else is exempted? Jesus survived the temptations. You can too. “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it”.
1 Cor. 10:13 I believe the sense of it can only be expressed by some such circumlocution as this: such as is suited to the nature and circumstances of man; such as every man may reasonably expect if he/she considers the nature of his/her body and his/her soul and situation in this present world.
On adultery Jesus said if a man lusts after a woman he has already committed adultery with her in his heart meaning that “intention pass action”.
John 1:16 states “for all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and he pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world” Putting his finger on the culprit in this regard Jesus Christ said: “And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell” Matt 5:30.
The thrust of this figurative statement by Jesus is that the beholder should not focus his attention on seductive women on the loose.
If we observe that all pain implies temptation and how to avoid it how innumerable must be the temptations by which will beset everyone more or less sooner or later while we dwell in this corruptible body. How liable are the wisest of men to mistake! to form false judgments, to take falsehood for truth and truth for falsehood; evil for good, and good for evil.
For even if sin by and large has little dominion over them yet they are not free from its trappings.
They could still exhibit traces of an evil heart ever prone to depart from the living God. They demonstrate the seeds of pride, of anger of foolish desire and indeed of every unholy temper. If we do not continually watch and pray temptations may naturally spring up and trouble not themselves only but all that are around them.
We must not therefore depend on finding no temptations from those that putatively fear and love God.
Much less should we be surprised if some of those who once loved God in sincerity should lay greater temptations on our way than many who never knew him.
If you consider well you are; a sinner born to die; a sinful inhabitant of a mortal body liable to innumerable inward and outward sufferings and your position in a shattered world surrounded by evil men and evil spirits. Consider this and you will not repine at the common lot, the general condition of humanity. You say “This is insupportable; this is too hard; I can never go through it; my burden is heavier than I can bear.” Not so, unless something is too hard for the Lord. He will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able. He proportions the burden to your strength. If you want more strength ask and it shall be given….” let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall-1 Cor.10:12.
Let us therefore receive every trial with calm resignation, and with humble confidence that he who has all power, all wisdom, all mercy and all faithfulness will first support us in every temptation and then deliver us out of it so that at the end all things shall work together for good.
As Christians we should remember that Lenten season in which we are is a period of self-examination and self-denial. If we have ceased from such sins like pride, envy, lust, greed, anger, fornication, drunkenness etc. we should renew our minds.
It is a question of attitudinal change in a new direction without a secretariat. Having resolved to be new creatures we should never return to our old tricks. If we do we shall be acting like dogs that return to their vomit. Let the Lenten spirit continue from Lenten Season to Lenten Season.
May God bless us all as we resolve not to falter on our resolutions by his grace.
