FOUR WAYS A CHRISTIAN GETS TEMPTED
Temptation is one of the experiences a Christian
must encounter. No one is above temptation – Jesus Christ, while on earth, was
tempted several times by the devil (the source of all temptation) and by the
Sadducee and Pharisees. Anyone can have victory over temptation if he/she
yields not into sin.
Temptation itself is not a sin but giving in to the
temptation is a sin.
Let us consider the ways in which a Christian can be
tempted.
Enticement
Enticement is when someone or something possesses
the quality to tempt you or cause you to err. The Bible gave an illustration in
Genesis 39:7, “And it came to pass after these things, that his master’s wife
cast her eyes on Joseph, and she said, ‘lie with me.’” Today most Christians,
like Joseph, are being offered something that pleases the flesh and pleasurable
to the heart but the dangers that comes after the pleasure are being played
down with thoughts like; our God is a merciful God, he will forgive. God is
merciful but there are repercussions to every action (whatever a man soweth
that he shall also reap).
God advised us Christians, “My son, if sinners
entice you, consent you not” (Proverbs 1:10).
The end of enticement is destruction.
Evil Counsel
Job’s wife asked Job to cause God and die (Job
2:9&10); most evil counsel today is not that direct but they bear the same
identity.
When a man is advised to lie or cheat and he yield
to it, it simply means that he has “given up” on God. Job’s wife has given up,
and she wanted Job to accept it that being upright with God won’t change
anything.
Most Christians will probably remain as Christians
if they keep Christian friends but it is not the case today (many claim to be
Christians but they are not in their heart)
Greed
Greed! Greed is disastrous, pushes to do unspeakable
things. Greed arises mostly from the love of money (I Timothy 6:9&10) – I
want that which he has and I’m prepared to do whatever it takes to get it. “To
do whatever it takes” means to sacrifice anything or anyone. Many in the world
today engaged in occult practices and sacrifices to get money, fame and
possessions. Whether you are a Christian or not desiring the things of the
world gives birth to greed.
The Love of the World
John summarized the love of the world in his first
letter as the lust of the eyes, the lust of flesh and the pride of life (I John
2:14-16). Enticement, evil counsel and greed, all arise from worldliness. It is
what you see that entices you to sin. It is pride that makes you desire what
belongs to another man; you want to show that you are bigger and better and
then you are result to any means necessarily.
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