Temptation is a word used many times to describe how or why we sin. Sometimes we may even try to justify our actions, thinking that we could not avoid the sin because of our temptation. This is a misunderstanding that I believe many of us have. Although, it may seem that in the heat of the moment we were powerless, and could not control ourselves from indulging. I believe that temptation is just as avoidable as is sin, however, as fellow human beings, we will all be tempted and sin at some point in our life.
The Random House dictionary describes the word “tempt” as “1. to entice or allure to do something unwise or wrong. 2. to appeal strongly to. 3. to incline or dispose. 4. to risk provoking or defy.” I like the first explanation because it more accurately describes what temptation can do “to us”. It is also the explanation which best describes how we feel when we use the word temptation. Temptation unfortunately is almost always associated with what happens to us just before we do wrong. Temptation can be good; although usually it is bad for us. We could easily say that I was tempted to do something that was good. You might have been tempted to help someone. Your conscience spoke up and made you feel that you wanted to do the right thing. It might be that you are compelled to help someone when you realize they need the help or that you would feel good after you have helped that person. In this book, I will mostly be speaking about the times when we feel a temptation to do something wrong. This is usually our thoughts when we use the word temptation and will be the basis for study. Ask yourself the following questions: · What are you normally tempted to do?
· Why is it so tempting?
· What do you do, to keep from giving in?
If you answer these questions honestly, it may lead you to understand more about yourself and your weaknesses. This is important because temptations are usually our weaknesses or what we are most likely to succumb to and most of the time we are tempted to do something that is bad for us. This is where the trouble begins, when we give into temptation and allow it to rule our actions. Temptations are all around us. The temptation to do evil is sure to be a part of our daily life. The constant struggle to refrain from all the bad things we do not want to do is almost overwhelming but It is not impossible. You may know someone locally who consistently refuses to be brought down by temptations and caused to sin. We can also find many biblical examples of who pushed off tempting situations and were victorious over Satan. People like Joseph, Ruth, Abraham and Jesus just to name a few who demonstrated the ability to stop.
In today’s world of constant advertising from television, newsprint and magazines, we are faced with temptations to do everything imaginable. We are tempted to read gossip from the tabloids in the grocery store check out lines. We are tempted to steal when we see the successful getaways of those on the movie screen. We are tempted to buy something new from the millions of advertisements, which come to us daily. We are tempted to eat just about everything we see. There is even a breakfast cereal named “Temptations”. Advertisers spend billions of dollars telling you what you should eat, wear, drive, ride, and own. They even want to tell you how you should smell, to get the attention of that special someone. They know that if they can tell you the same message consistently, you will eventually believe it or at least try it. We as humans are subject to our habits which can be good or bad. Good habits create a pattern for us to follow, which lead us to consistent growth physically, mentally and emotionally. It provides us with stability to maintain our friendships and marriages. The bad habits we get into are usually a result of giving into temptations over and over. Every one of us will be tempted to do wrong and give in to a temptation from time to time. A habit is formed when we allow ourselves to continually act in a certain way. For example, when you get up in the morning you probably do the same things. First you get out of bed, stumble to the bathroom and go through a series of events. You hide your eyes from the morning light. Then you proceed to brush your teeth, comb your hair, and put on your clothes in the same way you have done many times. You may even put your socks on one foot before the other, just because that’s the way you have always done it. These are habits. Bad habits are those things we do consistently that we should not do. Some habits may be allowing a grudge to harbor in our minds, to unleash our words without any restraint when we are mad, or to use violence against someone in fits of anger or rage. The good news is that bad habits can be broken with new actions and new thoughts, however they take as much effort to break as it took to create the habit in the first place.
Before we go any further, it is important to realize that we are not sinning just because we are being tempted. It is a very common situation to be tempted by someone or something. Sin appears only after we allow an bad temptation to control us and we fulfill the desire. To show why I am saying this, let’s look at some scriptures. · Luke 4:1-13 explains that Jesus himself was tempted directly by Satan. He was tempted physically, emotionally, and spiritually. In Luke chapter 4, we read that Satan used scripture to tempt Jesus. Satan twisted scripture that came from God to tempt Jesus to do what he wanted. From this we learn that he may use scripture to tempt you and me.
· In Hebrews 4:15 we read that Jesus was tempted in every way as we are, yet did not sin. Jesus our Lord can sympathize with our weaknesses because he was tempted to sin as well. Therefore, when we are tempted, do not think you are a bad person. Being tempted means that you are simply human.
· 1 Corinthians 10:13 “…but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also” these words explain the hope that there is always a way out. We will never be in a position that is impossible to escape the sin that will follow.
As you work through this book, it will become important to write out your thoughts from each chapter. Use this book as a journal, and record ways to overcome your temptations as well. 
