Temptation

Tempt is defined in Webster’s as: “To entice (someone) to commit an unwise or immoral act. Also: “To provoke or risk provoking a fate. All of us are tempted at times and all of us at times yield to temptation. I think the definition of “provoking or risking a fate” is right in line with the Bible. There are always consequences when someone is tempted and yields to it. Sometimes it is serious. For example if you commit adultery, you could lose your wife, family and/or even your life. At the very least you will be tormented with a guilty conscience and will not find peace. Likewise if you are tempted to go to a bar and get “loaded”, and then drive home even though you know that you have had too much to drink, you are “provoking” fate. Perhaps you will pile up your car and kill yourself, a loved one, or someone else, or perhaps you will get arrested for DUI and lose your license. Maybe you will make it home safely and wonder how you made it the next day. Maybe you will get away with it many times. Maybe this will lull you into thinking that you can get away with it anytime you want. I would suppose that God does not like to be provoked. The next time you are tempted, think about it in that context. The Bible teaches that “fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”. Fear of provoking God just might prevent you from making the biggest mistake of your life and receiving your just punishment for it.
Incidentally, the Bible teaches that temptation comes from Satan, not from God. God allows it but not beyond your capacity to overcome it.

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James 1 13…
Blessed is the man who endures
temptation; for when he has been
approved, he will receive the crown
of life which the Lord has promised
to those who love Him.
Let no one say when he is
tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for
God cannot be tempted by evil, nor
does He Himself tempt anyone.
But each one is tempted when he
is drawn away by his own desires
and enticed.
Then when desire has conceived,
it gives birth to sin; and sin,
when it is full grown brings forth
death…
Every good gift and every perfect
gift is from above and comes
down from the Father of lights,
with whom there is no variation or
shadow of turning.


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