GROWING THROUGH TEMPTATION

Every temptation is an opportunity to do good. Temptation becomes a stepping-stone rather than a stumbling block when you realize that it is just as much an occasion to do the right thing as it is to do the wrong thing. It simply provides the choice and it is Satan's primary purpose to destroy you! When temptation comes you are expected to express the exact opposite quality. Because character development always involves a choice and temptation provides that opportunity.

          We develop real peace within us, not by making things go the way we planned but by allowing times of chaos and confusion. Likewise, patience is developed in circumstances in which we are forced to wait and are tempted to be angry of have a short fuse. You can't claim to be good if you've never been tempted to be bad. You can't claim to be faithful if you've never had the opportunity to be unfaithful. 

HOW TEMPTATION WORKS?

We are very familiar with evil schemes. It helps to know that Satan is entirely predictable.

Let me share to you the three-step process that follows temptation;

1st, DESIRE; it maybe a sinful desire, like the desire to get revenge or to control others or it may be a legitimate, normal desire, like the desire to be loved and valued or to feel pleasure. Remember this, temptation starts when Satan suggests (with a thought) that you give in to an evil desire or that you fulfill a legitimate desire in a wrong way or at a wrong time. Always beware of shortcuts. They are often temptations! We may think that temptation lies around us, but the truth is, it begins within us. There's a whole army of evil desires within us!

2nd, DECEPTION; Satan is incapable of telling the truth and he actually called "the Father of lies." Anything he tells you will be untrue or just half-true. 

3rd, DISOBEDIENCE; Here, you finally act on the thought you've been toying with in your mind. What began was an idea gets birthed into behavior.

        We will never outgrow temptation. In one sense we can consider temptation a compliment. Satan does not have to tempt those who are already doing his evil will; they are already his. Temptation is a sign that Satan hates us, not a sign of weakness or wordliness. It is normal to be part of being human ang living in a fallen world. Let's not be surprised or shocked or discouranged by it. What we have to do is to be realistic about the inevitability of temptation; we will never be able to avoid it completely. It is not a sin to be tempted. Temptaion only becoomes a sin when we give in to it. We can't keep the Devil from suggesting thoughts, but we can choose not to dwell or act on them. Physical attraction, sexual arousal and lust are different. We are all sexual being, and that is good. Attraction and arousal are natural, spontaneous. While lust is a deliberate act of the will, a choice to commit in your mind that you'd like to do with your body. You can be attracted or being aroused without choosing to sin by lusting.

STAY ALERT!

          Sometimes there is what we called "holy spirit" who put some unlovely people around us for us to learn how to love them. It takes no character to love people who are lovely and loving us. 

          We are tempted when we are drawn away and trapped by our own evil desires. Then our evil desires conceive and give birth to sin and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. Do not be deceived, my dear friends The Devil is poised to pounce and would like nothing better than to catch us napping.