Faith Assignment No.3

Facing Temptation
Temptation is something with which we can all identify. No one is excluded unless we are living in the unreality of perfected holiness. Scripture is clear that we will face temptation until we are saved from the presence of sin on the day we depart this earth and dwell in heaven (Romans 8:18-25. Are we victims of temptation with no way to resist? Some might think so when they lay all the blame on Satan (“The devil made me do it.”) Abdicating responsibility is not only typically human (see our original parents excuses in Genesis 3) but is also typical of our culture. For those who have put their trust in Christ and have experienced His transformation, temptation can be faced with a new perspective and His resources. Our enemy and our flesh have identical personalities. Recognize that we are surrounded by a demonic spirit world and that the main source of our temptation comes from within. Spend less time focusing on what the demonic world might be doing and focus more on the temptations that come from within (Mark 7:18-23 and James 1:12-15).

Temptation is a lie wrapped in shades of truth. Our enemy’s solicitations and likewise our flesh are always designed to convince us through a lie that we are missing something in our life. You can face temptation with the question, “What lie am I being fed?” For instance it is a lie that if I give into temptation I will be satisfied. Just one more cookie and we will be satisfied ... but we end up eating the whole bag. The lie is the old lie that God is depriving us and that He really doesn’t have good things for us. When we give in we lose the opportunity to grow in strength to resist temptation and our giving up can develop into a stronghold (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)and hardness of heart (Hebrews 3:4-5). Each time we take a stand against temptation we grow stronger to resist (James 4:7-10).

We can also face temptation by refreshing our faith perspective on our identity. As For believers who have been made new in Christ, temptation is an insult to our new found dignity in Christ. We have been seated with Him in the heavenlies (Ephesians 2:4-6). We have an incorruptible inheritance that is not subject to recession, greed, and deceit (1 Peter 1:3-5). We are God’s unique design, created with good and great works in His mind prepared long before we came to life. Take the thought of your redeemed character and throw it back in the face of temptation. You are too great to stoop so low. Take time to rejoice over the new person that God has made you and wait on Him to reveal the better things He has for you. Delayed disobedience makes you stronger. Delayed obedience makes you weaker. As someone who has been made new in Christ, you have a new freedom to resist. Temptation no longer has to dominate your life. You will be more convinced of this as you exercise faith that counts on reality being defined by the truth of God’s Word rather than feelings or circumstances. This is a wonderful freedom that will bring deep and abiding joy. Don’t let temptation rob you of His joy. (Check out Dr. Ken Boa’s Identity Affirmations and His Personal Affirmations for Handling Temptations).

Enjoy Him and His strength, fellow traveler!