Monday, December 10, 2007

3 in 1

Mt. 4:1 – ‘Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.’

Certainly we’ve all been tempted in many and different ways. As we grow older, we should recognize which areas of our lives are more susceptible to certain temptations. But the big question is - what’s really at stakes when we are faced with temptation? 3 things are at stakes.
First is our future. Normally we would think temptation as a ‘Rest Area’ in a tollway which we can easily come and go in with no effect on our intended destination – a disconnected event. But temptation is actually a diversion – because temptation will eventually set a pattern that put us in a different road that leads to a different destination. Our future is at stake when we are tempted.

Second are those who are under us – family, employees, etc. We often fatally assumed that we can keep the consequences of yielding to a temptation exclusively to ourselves. But we know that many children are fatherless because dad could not resist the temptation of having an affair at the office. Our loves ones, employees – those under us are at stake when we are tempted.

Third and final is our trust in God. Temptation is not all about the test of self control, but deep within, is actually a test of our trust in God. Do we trust God that God can somehow address my complicated marriage when we’re tempted to say goodbye to our marriage? Do I trust God that He can address my loneliness when I’m tempted to grab any guy or girl in front of me? Our trust in God is at stake when we are tempted.