“Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations.” – James 1:2 AMPC
Why Lord? Why am I struggling with this? Why is God punishing me? Why can’t I seem to do the right thing? These are questions that we often ask ourselves when we encounter or fall into temptation. As I began to study this topic, it helped me to get insight on why temptation happens. I wanted to give a little perspective as I am learning.
One misconception that we have is that God is the one tempting us. God does not tempt us. However, God allows for us to be tempted and as stated in the Word of God, even though God allows it, God does not give us more than we can bear (1 Cor 10:13). So whether you are in right standing with God, living an upright life (Job, Joseph, Jesus) or you are struggling with that desire or situation that causes you to fall into temptation (Judas, David, Eve), no one is exempt from temptation.
God being so good, the Word of God continues in 1 Corinthians to say that God will provide us with a means of escape in the midst of temptation. Let’s sit with this for a little. Although God allows temptation to come your way, it is your choice whether you will give in or opt out. It is your choice, whether you will fall into temptation or resist and flee. We may not always be tempted by choice, but if we fall into temptation, that is because we made a conscience decision to choose temptation over resistance.
Let me give an example. In Matthew 26, we witness Judas Iscariot being tempted by the chief priests to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. Judas Iscariot had a choice, to refuse them, or even kiss the wrong person. He had a choice to do so many things. However, he chose to betray Jesus. Same for any other temptation, whether it is lying or stealing. You have a choice and you make the decision on what you will do.
Why is God allowing you to be tempted? I love what James 1:2-4 says, because it gives us a general overview of why God allows us to tempted. The Word of God talks about how we should be joyous when we encounter various trials and temptations because it tests our faith and builds us up. It makes us stronger in our faith and builds perseverance.
Why do we face or fall into temptation besides God allowing it?
- we are not perfect. We are human and have human desires, whether fleshly desires or heart desires. I am not saying because we are not perfect, we should go fall into temptation every day. But our nature is sinful and we live in a sinful world. Apostle Paul in Romans 7:15-20 NLT said:
15 I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. 16 But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. 17 So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.18 And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. 19 I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. 20 But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.
- we play with fire and expect not to get burnt. The Bible talks about us resisting the devil, so that he will flee us. The Bible also talks about how we should flee from sexual immorality. We will be sitting there, flirting with temptation and then be surprised when that temptation takes us. I believe temptation never takes you by surprise. It is definitely a build up and ultimately, a choice. Look at the example of Eve in the Garden of Eden (Gen 13).
- pride: I will let this verse say it all: “Therefore let the one who thinks he stands firm [immune to temptation, being overconfident and self-righteous], take care that he does not fall [into sin and condemnation].” – 1 Cor. 10:12 AMP
- for testimonial purposes: I don’t hear this one much, but I think it is important to highlight. You see that Job encountered so many temptations in the Bible and it was hard for him. However, that story of Job is the same story we use to encourage ourselves in hard times. This Bible verse also helps gives us insight as to why we face temptation:
Because He Himself [in His humanity] has suffered in being tempted, He is able to help and provide immediate assistance to those who are being tempted and exposed to suffering. – Hebrews 2:18 AMP
There are so many other reasons why we may encounter or fall into temptation. However, I want to emphasize that it doesn’t make us the devil and it doesn’t make us horrible people. The reality is that we are quite sinful in nature. However, it reminds of our humanity and our weaknesses. It reminds us that we can only find strength in Christ. That on our own, we will struggle, we will have challenges. But with God as our helper, we will be able to overcome them.
In our last part of this series, I will talk a little about overcoming temptation. Maybe you’ll be like Joseph and overcome every time. Or maybe you will be like Peter or Judas and fail to overcome at times. Either way, God does not give us more than we can bear, and he gives us an escape because, we are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus (Romans 8:37).
As always, let us pray:
Thank you for allowing me to understand why we fact temptation. Thank you for being merciful and gracious that you provide a means of escape for us and you give us strength amidst adversity and temptation. God, there are many reasons why we may encounter temptation or even fall into temptation. God, may you help us. Father, if there is pride in us, that causes us to fall, may you humble us so that we may only boast in righteousness because you are righteous. If we are struggling with our own desires, may you align our desires with yours, so that we may be able to stand firm during temptation. If it is for testimonial purposes, may you give us the strength like Job to endure and not to give in, but to stand out. May you help us day in and day out. We thank you for reminding us that we are mere humans and we need you every second, minute, hour and every day. We bless your Holy name, in Jesus name we pray, AMEN.
Sincerely Yours, Lydia.