Understanding and Dealing with Temptation

When we are tempted to sin, it's because we have certain feelings and desires in our hearts that longs for satisfaction. At the back of that are unmet needs that we may not be aware of. Instead of rebuking the temptation, or the devil, we can ask God to help us understand ourselves. Gaining insight into our motivations may reveal areas of our lives that the Lord may want to heal. He may want to set us free by speaking His life-giving words into our hearts. He may lead us into new revelations of His character that we may not be aware of. Most of all, in our weakness, we may experience God's power in a fresh way.

It's important to understand the root cause of temptation. The Bible says in James 1:13-15, ‭"[13] When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; [14] but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. [15] Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death."

Therefore, it is important to bring it to the Lord in prayer and to seek wisdom from Him (v. 5). Why are you being tempted? What desires are hidden from your view that are enticing you to sin? The Lord will give you wisdom and understanding if you will ask Him in faith (v.6). If you don't do this, you will be dragged away and enticed until it gives birth to actual sin. So, you are not yet sinning while you are being tempted. But, eventually, if you don't process it before the Lord, it will lead you to actual sin. Then, if you continue in that direction, you will suffer the spiritual consequences of that.

Behind your desires are actual needs that are unmet. They are also unconscious and unidentified perhaps. This is why confession is so important in the Christian life. Sharing your struggles with a spiritual friend or companion will help you uncover it.

We all need someone who can listen to what we are going through on the inside so that they can affirm and acknowledge our feelings and help us uncover their root causes. They can ask us the right questions so that we can be honest and look closely into what may be triggering the temptation. Spiritual friends or companions do not give advice. They co-discern with us what the Lord is revealing to our hearts concerning us. That's the most important thing about spiritual conversations. Our goal is not mere friendship but discernment. God is at work in our lives always. But what is He saying or doing that we need to discern so that we can respond to Him in faith?

God's purpose is to save us completely, not just in part. The ongoing work of Holy Spirit is to surface areas in our lives that are hidden, and bring them out into the light, so that we can acknowledge them and confess them, and then cooperate with God in rooting them out and replacing them with His virtues, which are also called the fruit of the Holy Spirit. The apostle Paul says in ‭Ephesians 4:22-24, "[22] You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; [23] to be made new in the attitude of your minds; [24] and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."

The goal of our transformation is the fulfillment of our vocation in Christ together with God's people in the world that we live in. You are placed in a certain life situation to give glory to God by living as Jesus would if He was us you. Again, the apostle Paul says in ‭Ephesians 2:10, "[10] For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

Living in sin will hinder our vocation. That's why the person that we are becoming in our relationship with Christ matters a lot. Being comes first before doing. So, we must pay attention when we are being tempted by something. Or, if we have fallen into actual sin, we must pause and process it through God's wisdom which He gives to us through the Scriptures and also through the help of spiritual companions. Wallowing in self-pity or trying hard to be busy, even with ministry, is a futile attempt to disregard the work of God in our lives to save us completely. It's also not helpful to keep rebuking the enemy. Our evil desires will not go away. That's the root cause. That is what needs to be uncovered and exposed in the light of Christ.

So, next time you are tempted, or even if you have actually sinned, find a spiritual friend or companion and process it with him and her until you can discern the desires that are fueling the temptation or sin, then explore the needs behind them until you can see the light about yourself. Once you see the truth, draw near to Jesus your Savior and find grace for your healing and transformation. Obey His word that He speaks inside your heart. Work it out by faith with the help of the Holy Spirit. He will enable you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose in your life. This is what the apostle Paul says in ‭Philippians 2:12-13, "[12] Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, [13] for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose." This is how you will experience God's power in your life even in the midst of your weaknesses.

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