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Every Temptation is an Opportunity to Do Good

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. James 1:12 (KJV)

God blesses the people who patiently endure testing. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12 (NLT)

Question to Consider:
What Christlike character quality can I develop by defeating the most common temptation I face?
If I could defeat the temptation to eat the wrong things – sugary and fattening things that I know will only pack the pounds on, not only would I gain some self-discipline, I would also be able to lose some weight. If could defeat the temptation to proscrastinate, I would further develop that self-discipline and I would be able to do more of what God expects me to do. These two issues on surface level appear simple – someone who’s battling a drug addiction would scoff at these trivial problems. But they are real issues for me because I struggle with them at the level of desire – when I’m tempted, I often find myself not even wanting God’s help because I want to go ahead and eat some chocolate confection and worry about consequences later. I’m glad Pastor Warren addressed this aspect of temptation in this chapter – it brings better understanding and helps me develop a better strategy for handling these issues.

God wants to develop my self-discipline, I’m going to need his help in shaping my desires. On a practical level I can do my best to avoid circumstances that make it more likely for me to slip up. If I’ve already eaten something healthy – like a salad, I would be less hungry and less likely to eat the wrong things. If I perform my most important tasks first thing in the morning, I won’t have to give in to tiredness later in the day – my work will already be done.

Important Quotes:
“Every time you chooose to do good instead of sin, youare growing in the character of Christ.” (Warren, 201)

“God develops the fruit of the Spirit in your life by allowing you to experience circumstances in which you’re tempted to express the exact opposite quality! Character development always involves a choice, and temptation provides that opportunity.” (Warren, 202)

“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. Integrity is built by defeating the temptation to be dishonest; humility grows when we refuse to be prideful; and endurance developes every time you reject the temptation to give up.” (Warren, 203)

“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 the wrong time. Always beware of shortcuts. They are often temptations!” (Warren, 203)

“…there are specific steps you need to take to overcome [temptation]…Refuse to be intimidated…You will never outgrow temptation. In one sense you can consider temptation a compliment. Satan does nothave to tempt those who are already doing his evil will; they are already his.” (Warren, 204-5)

“It is not a sin to be tempted…Temptation only becomes a sin when you give in to it.” (Warren, 205)

“Sometimes while you are praying, Satan will suggest a bizarre or evil thought just to distract you and shame you. Don’t be alarmed or ashamed by this, but realize that Satan fears you prayers and will try anything to stop them. Instead of condemning yourself with ‘How could I think such a thought?’ treat it as a distraction from Satan and immediately refocus on God.” (Warren, 206)

“Recognize your pattern of tempation and be prepared for it…You should identify your typical pattern of tempation and then prepare to avoid those situations as much as possible.” (Warren, 206)

“Request God’s help…God wants you to ask him for assistance in overcoming temptation.” (Warren, 207)

“God’s love is everlasting, and his patience endures forever. If you have to cry out for God’s help two hundred times a day to defeat a particular temptation, he will still be eager to give mercy and grace, so come boldly. Ask him for the power to do the right thing and then expect him to provide it.” (Warren, 207)

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