Enduring Temptation -- Is It a Matter of Exercising the Power Within?

“Enduring Temptation”

Does it depend on exercising the power within us?

October 18, 2014

Larry Evans

Introduction

“The Devil made me do it!” or did he?  This is an expression we sometimes say in jest when we give in to a temptation but is it really true? Is that always the case? Do we sometimes try to take ourselves off the hook by saying this?  What part do we have in being tempted and when does temptation become a sin?  Where do our own desires fit into the picture?

“A story tells of a man who always blamed Adam and Eve for sin.  Growing tired of hearing his complaints, a friend invited him to housesit while he went on vacation.  He left everything in the house at this disposal except a small box sitting in a corner.  That was off-limits, the friend said, and he shouldn’t open it.  The first man agreed to the terms.  Unfortunately, he couldn’t contain his curiosity or control his desire to see what the box contained.  Within a half hour of his friend’s departure he had opened the box.  When he did, a rat jumped out and disappeared.  The man spent the rest of the time in turmoil; he tried to locate the rat or get another one for the box, but couldn’t.  When his friend returned and saw what curiosity and desire had done, he admonished him to stop blaming Adam and Eve for sin, since he was just as guilty.  That’s how desire works.”  -- Bertram L. Melbourne in The Practical Christian, p. 37.

Reflective Questions

1.             To be tempted or not be tempted is a choice we make?  (James 1:14,15; Rom. 13:14) True or False?

2.             “The Devil made me do it,” explains how we are tempted.  (James 1:13-15; Gen 3:1-6) True or False?

3.             To meet each temptation successfully, we must “permit” God to intervene?  (James 1:16,17; Titus 3:5-7)  True or False?

4.             The control of our words begins by first listening to God’s words. (Ps 46:10; Isa 50:4-9) True or False?

Our Study Notes

1.             To be tempted or not to be tempted is a choice we make?  (James 1:14,15) True and False

As we begin our study about “temptation” lets remember how James begins his letter.  Here it is in the Message:

2-4 Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.

Through tests, challenges and/or temptations our faith experience will be exposed.  James is writing to encourage us.  We may want to ask “Why is this happening to me” but James is saying that even more important than “why” is “how” – “’How’ we respond is of even greater significance.”  I am reminded of what one author wrote:  We often pray that our circumstances will change but God is more interested in changing us than our circumstances.  So as we give study today to facing temptations that come to us, we need to keep in mind what James says the real outcome of meeting temptations and trials are.  Through these temptations or tests we are to become “mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (Jas 1:4)

The Greek word for trials/temptations has two basic meanings: (1) The inner pull to sin (1 Tim. 6:9 – “harmful desires”) and (2) External afflictions or difficulties such as persecutions (1 Pet. 4:12 – fiery ordeal).  In some passages like Mat 26:41 (“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”) both meaning are included.

Now back to the question:  Is being tempted a choice we make or is it a consequence of being a product of being part of the human family?

Consider Romans 13:14

14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

Or as the NKJV

14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

2.             “The Devil made me do it,” explains how we are tempted.  (James 1:13-15; Gen 3:1-6) True or False?

It is true sin originated with Satan.  The root of pulling away from God and His plan for us is certainly rooted in Satan’s own rebellion.  But the question is really this – Do we manufacture some of our own temptations?

Note what James says in 1:14,15

14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full–grown, gives birth to death.

Dragged away from what?  Verse 12 says that the Lord has a “crown of life” for those who “love Him.”  Would it be fair to say that at the root of all temptation is the pulling away from our love and allegiance to the Lord?

Consider Adam and Eve. They were placed in a garden where all that God had created for them surrounded them.  They had no needs.  They had everything except one thing – they were not God!  So Satan began his temptations there by challenging God and what He had said to them.  Eve listened and  the Bible says her temptation was three-fold:

1.             She saw that the fruit was good for food. [Did she need food!  What God had said was not good for her she concluded differently.]

2.             Eve found that her senses (sight) overrode God’s instructions:  the fruit was pleasing to the eye.

3.             Eve desired a wisdom that came from outside of God’s plan for her.  She chose a source of wisdom that was contrary to God’s. 

Eve’s choices progressively led her away from trusting in God and His word.

3.             To meet each temptation successfully, we must “permit” God to intervene?  (James 1:16,17; Titus 3:5-7)  True or False?

There is a popular preacher today who is blanketing the airways with advertisements about his books and sermons. “You have the power within you to overcome your circumstances.” Is the power within us our outside of us?  Does it really matter as long as I overcome? But this pastor isn’t the only one saying this.  Note the following quote:

“Now in Sahaja Yoga you have to know that you have the power within yourself. It is there, it exists there, and it is to be just awakened in some people. It takes time to be awakened, in thousands I have seen it takes no time, the only thing that I would suggest is to keep your mind open not to become obstinate about things.

Here is another:

You do have special powers - the only reason why you're not living the life you want is because you don't know how to use those special powers.

I call it the power within - and once you learn how to apply the awesome power that you have within yourself - you will be able to dramatically change or improve your life faster than you thought possible.—Karim Hajee, Creating Power

Rhonda Byrne writes:

“All good things are your birthright! You are the creator of you, and the law of attraction is your magnificent tool to create whatever you want in you life. Welcome to the magic of life, and the magnificence of You!” (The Law of Attraction, p. 41)

Joel Osteen

I want to talk to you about the power of I am. What follows these two words will determine what kind of life you will live.  I am blessed. I am slow. I am a terrible mother. The I am’s that come out of your mouth will determine either success or failure.  Whatever follows “I am” will always come looking for you.

In contrast to these motivational speakers we find the insightful words of Ellen White,

“If God is an essence pervading all nature, then He dwells in all men; and in order to attain holiness, man has only to develop the power within him.  These theories [pantheism, etc.] followed to their logical conclusion, . . . do away with the necessity for the atonement and make man his own savior. . . . Those who accept them are in great danger of being led finally to look upon the whole Bible as a fiction. . . .  (Faith I Live By, p.40)

These theories regarding God make His word of no effect, and those who accept them are in great danger of being led finally to look upon the whole Bible as a fiction. They may regard virtue as better than vice; but, having shut out God from His rightful position of sovereignty, they place their dependence upon human power, which, without God, is worthless. The unaided human will has no real power to resist and overcome evil. The defenses of the soul are broken down. Man has no barrier against sin. When once the restraints of God's word and His Spirit are rejected, we know not to what depths one may sink.  (Ministry of Healing, p. 429)

James 1:14-18

14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full–grown, gives birth to death.

16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

The power to endure trials and to overcome temptation lies outside of ourselves.  It is true that the Holy Spirit will dwell in our hearts but our “hearts” or our “minds” must be informed by God’s word not by our sheer desire to think differently.  We submit to God’s objective Word and not to our subjective emotions.

The solution for temptation is to be found in a close relationship with the Father and a constant response to His Word. He does not promise a life without trials but He promises His presence with us as we meet trials and temptations. One must rest in the unchangeable Lord of light and rely on His life-giving “Word of truth” (cf. Eph. 1:13; Col. 1:5; 2 Tim. 2:15).

            There is no reason why one of God’s chosen firstfruits, or regenerated believers, has to yield to temptation. He must learn to resist its deadly force, or he can never grow into the spiritual maturity God desires of His children of light (Eph. 5:8; 1 Thes. 5:5).

            Ultimately the key to responding to trials and resisting temptation is be found in one’s reaction to God’s Word. Receptivity to the Word, responsiveness to the Word, and resignation to the Word are essential to spiritual growth. One must accept God’s Word, act on it, and abide by it.

4.             The control of our words begins by first listening to God’s words. (Ps 46:10; Isa 50:4-9) True or False?

James 1:21

 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

Is it the word that saves us? Is it the word that controls our words?

James advises us to get rid of all that is wrong in our lives and “humbly accept” the salvation message we have received, because it alone can save us.  Hanging onto that which degrades us while trying to overcome that which we want to put out of our lives only makes the battle more difficult and even impossible.  The fight of faith is not so much “doing” as it is “submitting” or “surrendering” our wills to God.  It begins by “listening” to Him.

4 The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.

5 The Sovereign LORD has opened my ears, and I have not been rebellious; I have not drawn back. (Isa 50:4,5)

James 4:7,8

7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double–minded.

Concluding Thoughts

While the Christian invites Christ to come into his/her heart, the power to overcome sin and the strength to meet the trials that will come are not “within” us.  Scripture consistently directs our attention to the sanctuary (Ex 25:8), to the sacrifice of Jesus (Rev. 12:11), to the dwelling place of God (Ps 121:1,2).  The “spiritualism” that confronted Adam and Even in the garden sought to displace God with an alternative.  Eve sought the desires within her heart, the wisdom within her mind, rather than God’s.  Such a course led not to prosperity but to heartache.  Such is the temptation today.

But there is good news!

The sinner may resist this love, may refuse to be drawn to Christ; but if he does not resist, he will be drawn to Jesus; a knowledge of the plan of salvation will lead him to the foot of the cross in repentance for his sins, which have caused the sufferings of God’s dear Son. (Steps to Christ, p.27)

Overcomers, then, are those who do not “resist” God’s intervention into their lives.