1 Corinthians 10.13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
James says let no man say when he is tempted. Temptation is a common part of human existence. It is inevitable, because until we are with Jesus in glory, we will possess this corrupt flesh. Scripture clearly talks about the battle between the flesh and The Spirit. Temptation is a promise to fulfill a legitimate gift from God in an illegitimate or sinful way. While there may indeed be an immediate feeling of pleasure or satisfaction, it is short lived and guilt ridden. It is kind of like jumping in a body of water to pet a dolphin, only to be swallowed up by the shark from “Jaws!”
Jesus taught us that the source of all temptation is the heart/ flesh connection. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man.
Because we live in a heightened world of sensuality, we tend to narrow the “menu” of temptation down to all and unlawful sex outside of the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman, which indeed is true. But tell me beloved, how many people jump right into the jaws of foolishness, pride, gossip or unbelief without even batting an eyelash? Because there are no immediate consequences of those sins, many people of God are living their Christian lives in the grips of Jaws, oblivious to that ominous theme song playing in the background of their souls. The cross of Calvary teaches us to never take sin lightly or casually. Because of the perfect sacrifice of Christ on the cross, those who turn to Him for forgiveness are forgiven. The total debt of our sin has been paid. Yet, until we get to heaven, we must be prepared to confront the reality of temptation in the power of The Spirit.
The normal Christian life is a life of contrasts. It is a life of rest as well as a battle. A marriage to Jesus and a wrestling match against the wiles of the devil. We all face these common contradictions. God provides a way of escape when the jaws of temptation launch it’s vicious attack. Listen to the music of temptation. Never mistake the swimming in the jaws of temptation with the beauty of swimming with Dolphins.
