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Stephen Ministry

The topic for today is temptation. I can practically hear you all thinking "Oh goodie!" Indeed, temptation is a frequent topic during Lent, a frequent theme in the Scripture readings from the lectionary during Lent because of Lent’s journey toward Easter and the events of Easter. Consequently, we are particularly focused in Lent on the price Jesus paid for our sins—the results of our giving in to various temptations. So, temptation is a frequent topic in our Lenten reflections. However, I believe it does not need to be a depressing topic. One we should take seriously, yes, but does not need to be a depressing topic. To begin with, at the end of Lent is Easter, an event that is a glorious triumph over sin and temptation. Without that temptation would be a depressing topic! So, keep in mind…Easter is coming! Then, temptation does not need to be a depressing topic because it is a fact of life. We will face temptations in life—that’s just a part of being human. In fact, did you know that because of his humanity Christ understands our temptations, in fact, empathizes with us?

Try to get your head and your heart around this (Hebrews 4:15, 16): "…we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." I know we can’t fully grasp that. Jesus was tempted in every way that we are—yet did not sin? Trying to understand that is the subject of Nikos Kazantzakis’ book, The Last Temptation of Christ and all the surrounding controversy of the book and the subsequent movie. While I don’t agree with all of Kazantzakis’ conclusions or their portrayal in the movie, it is a subject worth contemplating—even though beyond our total comprehension. Christ was tempted in every way that we are—yet did not sin. Therefore, he understands and empathizes with us in our struggle with temptations. "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to us all. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it," (1 Corinthians 10:13; TNIV). So, today a look at temptation and how we can endure it, indeed, find a way through it.

First of all, a humorous look at what temptation looks like. I came across this video from tangle video entitled The Marshmallow Test. See if you can identify with the temptations these kids face undergoing the "severe" marshmallow test.

{Run "Marshmallow Test" video}

Do some of those struggles ring familiar? Keep those images in mind as we explore the way out of temptation.

Way #1: Knowledge of God’s Word. This is important in at least two ways (there are many more, but two primary one for our purposes today!). 1) Knowledge of God’s Word helps us to know what sin is and, consequently, what temptations need to be resisted. The apostle Paul says of "the law," or, God’s Word, "I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, ‘You shall not covet,’" (Romans 7:7b). So, knowledge of God’s Word helps us know what things are outside the boundary lines of God and therefore should be avoided.

2) God’s Word can provide our response to temptation. Recall from a couple of weeks ago the story of Jesus being tempted in the wilderness—a story that can be found early in both Matthew’s and Luke’s gospels (Mark makes only a brief mention of it). Three times Jesus responds to a temptation from the devil with the words, "It is written," and then quotes from Scripture—all three times, in fact, from the book of Deuteronomy which means "repetition of the law." Familiarity with Scripture can bring to mind a specific verse or two that can be helpful in resisting temptation. So, one way out of temptation is to be familiar with Scripture. Read and study God’s Word.

Way #2: What I call the Joseph Strategy…run! Recall the familiar story of Joseph while enslaved in Egypt in the house of Potiphar. Potiphar’s wife, you will recall, becomes interested in Joseph while her husband is out of town. When she attempts to seduce Joseph…he runs away! Now, you might say, "Wait a minute. That story didn’t end so well for Joseph. Didn’t he end up in prison?" Yes, he did, falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife. But, he remained righteous before God, setting the stage for his later role in the salvation of Israel. I can’t imagine the course the story would have taken had Joseph given in to the temptation. So, when temptation strikes—run away! Don’t sniff. Don’t nibble. Don’t ponder the possibilities. Run away! Like Joseph.

Way #3: Through prayer, seek God’s way out. When struck with a temptation, be honest with God about it. Remember, Jesus Christ knows our temptations and empathizes with us in our temptations. Be honest with God when struggling with a temptation. "Lord, I am enjoying this flirtation. Why is that? Where am I contributing to weakness in my marriage making this flirtation enjoyable? Help me! Strengthen me so that I might resist it." Or, "Lord, I see a loophole here I could manipulate to my financial benefit. Hopefully no one would catch it. But, why is it attractive to me? Where am I failing to trust in you so that I’m looking for financial loopholes to benefit me? Help me! Strengthen me so that I might resist it." And then run if he tells you to run!

Actually, I believe temptations can lead us to a deeper relationship with Christ if we deal with them honestly before him and seek to follow his standards for us. I believe that is the point of the quote from Brother Lawrence on today’s bulletin cover.

Discovering, practicing the presence of God-- speaking humbly and conversing lovingly with him at all times, every moment, without rule or restriction, above all at times of temptation, distress, dryness, and revulsion, and even of faithlessness and sin."

The apostle Paul in the book of Romans writes, "But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord," (Romans 5:20b, 21). Now, to be clear, Paul is not saying "give in to temptation so that you might experience more grace." That is something he fought against with his detractors who misled others about Paul’s teaching on grace. I think what Brother Lawrence is saying and Paul is saying, here in Romans and in our passage from 1 Corinthians for today, is that in our struggles with temptations we discover a greater grace from Jesus Christ—first of all, in his forgiveness when we do stumble and give in to temptations, but also (and just as important) when we deal with our temptations honestly and with integrity and discover through practicing the presence of God—study of God’s Word, regular prayers—the power of Christ at work in us to provide a way out. Keep that in mind whenever the subject of temptations comes up during Lent…or any other time of the year.

Let’s take a moment right now for silent reflection on the subject of temptations in our life…and God’s way out for us.