Truth about Temptation
Here is a summary from a Sermon that I was pointed to, and it is well worth a viewing, it is on “YouTube” – The Truth about Temptation by Daniel Pel. Open your Bible to, James 1:12-16 “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. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren.” The descending steps to the Abyss are, Enticed by Sights or Sounds – Desires Aroused– Indwelling of Thoughts – Sin – Death.
We must remember that “Temptation is not sin,” it is the gateway to sin. Jesus was tempted in more ways than you ever will be, Hebrews 4:15 “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin.” Psalm 1:1-3 “Blessed [is] the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight [is] in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.”
Here the Psalmist portrays two distinct paths, Path Righteous – Lawful, and the Path Wrongful – Sin and Death (Council of the Ungodly etc.) Here we have a distinct path of regression, One sees the “Object of Desire,” choice activates, gaze averted, eyesight locked onto it, for “Sin” to progress at all, we need to “Stand Still,” now you are getting deeper into trouble, the next step is to turn, “nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.” The situation is simple, See, Observe, Communication/Interaction. When you sit down with somebody, or a group of people, there is communication, interaction, participation in talking, drinking, eating, and fellowship.
One can arise and “walk away” or remain and become partners and participants, and then “Full Blown Sin” results. James 1:14-15 “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” Proverbs 16:32 “[He that is] slow to anger [is] better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. Proverbs 25:28 “He that [hath] no rule over his own spirit [is like] a city [that is] broken down, [and] without walls.” The Sinner becomes Derelict and all Broken down. Quote; “Strength of character consists of two things–power of will and power of self-control.” 4T 656.
We have Alexander the Great who conquered the world, never lost a battle, failed to conquer his passions and died at about aged 32 yrs. We have Jesus Christ who conquered the world, never lost a battle, “in him was no sin” {1 John 3:5} and died victorious over everything at aged about 32 yrs. Jesus conquered sin and death and not cities and continents, he conquered hearts and lives to give them an amazing new life, setting them free from the shackles of sin, death and defeat. Jesus used “Self-Control” by the power of the Holy Spirit, and we today have access to this exact same conquering source of victory.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” We have the terms of War and Battles, pulling down City Walls, Romans 7:23 “But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.” Matthew 7:14 “Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
Isaiah 59:1-2 “Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid [his] face from you, that he will not hear.” 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. 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 to escape, that ye may be able to bear [it].” Lie 1: I am beyond Temptation, I’ve already conquered that. Lie 2: My temptation is so unique that God will give me special leeway on this, Lie 3: I can’t deal with this temptation, it is way too big for me, so I can go ahead and sin. Quote; “The strongest temptation is no excuse for sin. No matter how severe the pressure brought to bear upon you, sin is your own act. The seat of the difficulty is the unrenewed heart.” {AH 331.1}
Quote; “Remember that temptation is not sin. Remember that however trying the circumstances in which a man may be placed, nothing can really weaken his soul so long as he does not yield to temptation but maintains his own integrity. The interests most vital to you individually are in your own keeping. No one can damage them without your consent. All the satanic legions cannot injure you unless you open your soul to the arrows of Satan. As long as you are firm to do right, your ruin can never take place. If there is not pollution of mind in yourself, all the surrounding pollution cannot taint and defile you.” {TMK 248}
