The word temptation has come to mean something bad to us today, but we tend to use the word in the wrong way. Temptation itself is not sin; it is something we are bound to face simply by virtue of being human. Not to be tempted would mean that we were already so shameful that we would be beneath contempt. Yet many of us suffer from temptations we should never have to suffer, simply because we have refused to allow God to lift us to a higher level where we would face temptations of another kind.
A person’s inner nature, what he possesses in the inner, spiritual part of his being, determines what he is tempted by on the outside. The temptation fits the true nature of the person being tempted and reveals the possibilities of his nature. Every person actually determines or sets the level of his own temptation, because temptation will come to him in accordance with the level of his controlling, inner nature.
Temptation comes to me, suggesting a possible shortcut to the realization of my highest goal— it does not direct me toward what I understand to be evil, but toward what I understand to be good. Temptation is something that confuses me for a while, and I don’t know whether something is right or wrong. When I yield to it, I have made lust a god, and the temptation itself becomes the proof that it was only my own fear that prevented me from falling into the sin earlier.
Temptation is not something we can escape; in fact, it is essential to the well-rounded life of a person. Beware of thinking that you are tempted as no one else–what you go through is the common inheritance of the human race, not something that no one has ever before endured. God does not save us from temptations–He sustains us in the midst of them (see Hebrews 2:18 and Hebrews 4:15-16). – My Utmost For His Highest “September 17”, Oswald Chambers
So reading this causes me to reflect on some of my behavior in the past, especially this past year. I am not a very open person, but when it is something that could help others, then I really want to be vulnerable to get it out there that maybe the one person reading this thinks they are such a wretched sinner who God could never forgive or that no one could be as bad to that degree. We are all sinners. Man is not perfect, and in fact, it is when people start putting on the “perfect” face that is when they have the biggest target on their back for failure. I recently heard or read from someone that as Christians we should be open with one another. We are ONE body and therefore should be transparent with one another so we can help each other in our weaknesses, even if it is just accountability or a prayer warrior. This is something that I have not been good at. So many times I wear a mask and put on a “perfect” face, when the truth is I am a mess. I am probably the biggest mess I have been ever in my life. I mean from the outside I might look good. I was a prayer leader, spiritual life direct and resident assistant in my college career. I was a Religion major and have a semester of Seminary under my belt. You would think that I would be like the perfect little pastor’s wife in training. BUT you would be so very wrong. This last year I made some of the poorest decisions of my life and let temptation over take me.
From a young age I knew that I was capable of such sins as I allowed myself to fall into this past year. I remember at a very young age that it really concerned me, but I was resolved to not fall into it. What I now realize is that it was easy for me to say that I would never fall into it if the opportunity never presented itself or if I was too scared of the implications. Well this year was the year where not only the situation presented itself, but I had somehow reasoned it with myself that it wasn’t wrong. WHAT IN THE WORLD? When I talk to my friends about these instances, I tell them that I felt as if I was not even myself.
The temptation fits the true nature of the person being tempted and reveals the possibilities of his nature. Every person actually determines or sets the level of his own temptation, because temptation will come to him in accordance with the level of his controlling, inner nature.
This quote really jumped out at me. Like I said earlier I knew that I was capable of this sin. I had been plagued with temptation of it from a very young age. God knew that where I was in my faith that I could not give into the temptation that came my way this past year, but I let Him down. I honestly have dealt with the sin part and that my actions were wrong for a number of reasons. Now I am trying to deal with disappointing God. I feel like God had such a great plan for me and then I went and screwed it up because I was looking for something that was not God had for me at the time. I feel like now God is like “you chose your way, now figure it out.” I say all this in transparency and honesty. I know that God has a plan for me and he is in control and that He works all things together for His good. These things have been drilled into me my whole life, but I can help but think I am too far-gone. I know I am not the only one who feels this way. I feel as if others just look at me and know what a horrible Christian I am. I feel like they can just judge me. Again I know that God is the only true judge, but like I said I am just being honest here. This past year scared me, knowing what I am capable of. I know I am in a season of healing in my life, but in healing you have to get out the bad before you can make the full recovery. I am just waiting to be purged by God and being made pure before Him. I know that it is not going to be some moment where I know that I am completely clean and healed from this, but I know that overtime my relationship with the Lord will be that much stronger. I will cling to Him that much tighter.
Temptation is something that confuses me for a while, and I don’t know whether something is right or wrong. When I yield to it, I have made lust a god, and the temptation itself becomes the proof that it was only my own fear that prevented me from falling into the sin earlier.
This quote more than any other smacked me on the face. I always knew I was capable of such sin, but my whole life I had these rules and regulations drilled into me. I had rules that had stiff consequences if I did not abide by them. Finally when left with only God and myself to answer to I push boundaries. I then begin to question whether that thing that I had been told my whole life, these last four years, in church, in school wherever is really wrong. I was too scared of the consequences before and now that there aren’t punishments coming from my family or friends, I went a little crazy. I did what I was capable of. This is what plagues me the most. I think of in 1 John when He speaks of Christians living in the light and wanting to do what is right. I also think of Paul saying that He does what He doesn’t want to do and what He doesn’t want to do he does. It causes me to wonder how I can call myself a follower of Christ if I am so quick to jump at an opportunity to spit in Christ’s face. From here on out, and I would love to have people to hold me accountable. I want to serve Christ with my whole heart. My whole life I have known I wanted to do one thing with my life and that is give God glory and show His love to others through helping and serving them. I have that mindset and pay that I can grow in that mindset. While these temptations are not sin, it is giving into them that is the sin. The upside is overcoming these temptations is strength, is victory, is the POWER of CHRIST working in you. I never know if I make sense or I get across what I was hoping to get across, but I hope this helped someone if anything realize that they are not alone or that not all Christians will judge harshly, but that they need to share with someone so that they can have a prayer partner or someone just to help them. We are the Body of Christ, why amputate yourself because of pride. Humble yourself and let the body do what we were created to do WORK TOGETHER!!!
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