I
know of no better definition of temptation than that given
by the apostle James—"But every man is tempted when
he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed." James
1:14. "But each one is tempted by his own inordinate
desire, being drawn out and allured." Emphatic
Diaglott. Not every suggestion to do wrong is a
temptation. Suggestions to evil are temptations only when
there is a drawing or inclination to follow them. A
suggestion that is a strong temptation to one person may
be no temptation whatever to another. For instance, the
suggestion to take a drink of intoxicating liquor would be
a temptation to some man, while to another it would be no
temptation whatever. One man may be easily tempted to
covetousness, because his natural make up inclines him
that way; while another man, who is free hearted and
naturally liberal, has no temptation whatever to hoard up
money. Both, of course, must be equally free from
covetousness; but to one man it is an easy task, because
he has no temptations to be avaricious. However, the man
who is not tempted to covetousness will not be unvisited
by temptation in some other direction, for all are
tempted.
"There hath no temptation
taken you but such as is common to man: but God is
faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that
ye are able, but will with the temptation also make a way
of escape, that ye may be able to bear it." 1 Cor.
10:13.
When lust, or strong desire, has
conceived through the consent of the will and one has
yielded to temptation, then, and not until then, is sin
brought forth. Many people do not understand the
difference between temptation and sin, do not understand
where temptation ends and sin begins. Sometimes Satan will
tempt people, and then when they feel the weight and the
drawing of the temptation, will accuse them, telling them
they have sinned. Remember that your will is yourself and
that, though temptations may rage, yet so long as your
will says, "No" and you refrain from sin, God
will stand by you and help you to conquer temptation.
Remember, He is faithful, and will not suffer you to be
tempted above that you are able, but will with the
temptation make a way of escape that you may be able to
bear it." You should not think it strange concerning
the fiery trials and the burning temptations with which
the Lord intends to try you. Consider them as ordinary
occurrences; gird up the loins of your mind; call upon the
name of the Lord; and resist the devil steadfast in the
faith.
ENDURING TEMPTATION
"Blessed is the man that
endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall
receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to
them that love him." James 1:12. Here we see that God
pronounces a blessing on the man that endures temptation.
God never tempts anyone, but often tries people. Would you
receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to
those who love Him ? Then, you must endure the temptation;
you must be tried, for until then you cannot receive it.
So when temptation overtakes you, do not forget to endure,
for thereby you shall gain the crown of life. "And
after that ye have suffered a while, the God of all grace,
who has called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus,
will make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle
you."
ENJOYING TEMPTATION
"My brethren, count it all joy
when ye fall into divers temptations." James 1:2. You
may wonder where there is room for joy in temptation; but
after you have learned to endure it for a while, you will
learn the secret of making your temptations transparent by
the compound application of faith and trust. No temptation
seems joyous for the present; but by faith we can see
through the temptation and behold the strength and the
victory that we are winning through its endurance, and
thus the severest temptation may be mixed with joy. As
Jesus, for the joy that was set before Him, endured the
suffering of the cross; so we, for the joy of the victory
set before us, may gladly endure the temptation, and by
anticipating the blessings pronounced on the man that
endures temptation, we may have joy at present, though
overtaken by divers temptations. By considering the worth
of temptations and the benefit to our experience to be
derived from them, we can count them joy.
"Knowing this, that the trying
of your faith worketh patience." James 1:3. Patience
is a priceless gem. So when we are blessed with the very
cause that effects patience—temptation—we should not
yield to sin nor murmur at our lot. "But let patience
have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire,
wanting nothing." Jas. 1:4. Perfect and entire,
wanting nothing—thank God! What a happy state! Yet the
road by which this state is reached is one of temptation;
for temptation tries our faith, faith works patience, and
patience perfects us in every good thing.
