Reactions To Temptation

Everyone is tempted. If we are alive, we are tempted. If we have a body, we will be tempted through it. If we have a mind to think with, there is temptation through it.

There are four basic reactions to temptation. Three of them are ineffective and mostly destructive. Only one of the four works to block a temptation to sin, and, wonder of wonder, it is the one reaction recommended by God in His Word.

One: Yield To It

The first reaction of some people to their temptation is to just yield. They calmly lie down, and without regard to character or long-term consequences, they follow the line of least resistance. They respond with a couple of philosophies: “Let us enjoy ourselves today because who can be sure of tomorrow?” or “There’s no use for me to fight this – I never can resist!”

One of my own favorite lines that I used was, “I can resist anything but temptation!” It always got a laugh, to the point that I used it all the time. And, to a certain extent, it became an excuse for wrong behavior.

I used to own a dog that had a real inferior complex. He was a good enough pet with the family, but whenever trouble came along in the form of a strange dog, he had only one reaction every time – he just laid down on his back and cowered with his neck exposed and vulnerable. He just gave up and in effect said, “You’ve got me! Do what you will!” He felt that everyone and every thing around him was stronger than he was, so why fight it, just accept it.

I believe there are a fair number of people in the world who are just like this dog. Their inferiority complex weakens their will to stand up against temptation to sin. They just accept it as inevitable.

And the ones who say, “Live today, for tomorrow we die!” may not project inferiority, but down deep I believe it is often there also. Expecting death and dwelling on its implications is certainly a form of apparent human weakness.

Two: Play With It

Some people play with their temptations. They try to see how close to the flame they can get without getting burned. A person who has a drinking problem will continue to go to a bar to be with his friends. He thinks that this time he will be able to control his drinking. It becomes a game with him.

Or the person who has a problem with gossiping will continue to associate with people who are known gossipers.

Dealing with temptations to sin by making a game out of it and trying to just avoid it by the skin of our teeth does not work. We may make a pretense of fighting, but having thrown that bone to our consciences to be chewed on a bit, we eventually just lie down and relax and give in.

Third: Fight It

The third basic reaction is probably the most common. In fact, many view it as the only proper reaction to temptation. But it is also doomed to failure in the long run. Some people FIGHT their temptations. They recognize and resist them. Sounds like the thing to do, doesn’t it? Do you think that by placing enough obstacles in the way of the things that tempt you, you can keep from doing what you ought not to do? It doesn’t work. Concentrating on obstacles only tends to keep you concentrated on the temptation.

So if fighting the temptation is not the way, then what is?

Fourth: Flee It

God’s way is to FLEE. “Flee also youthful lusts, rather follow righteousness, faith, love, peace, with them that CALL ON THE LORD out of a pure heart” (2 Timothy 2:22).

It has been said that few speed records are broken by people running from temptation. And when you flee, don’t leave a forwarding address. So where do we flee?

Sometimes it seems that there is nowhere to run and sin is all around us. Stop right where you are and become INTROSPECTIVE! Flee to that place within yourself where dwells Christ, the Conqueror. You can’t fight temptation in your own power – but you do not contain your OWN POWER! As a Christian who has recognized Jesus as Savior and Lord, you contain Christ who has already overpowered sin in all of its ramifications.

UNLESS WE GO TO THAT WHICH IS WITHIN US, WE WILL SOON YIELD TO THAT WHICH IS AROUND US!

But how do we make instantaneous fleeing to Christ within the thing we desire to do at the very moment of need? There is only one answer to this question. Preparation. In the times of our lives when we are not in the midst of a temptation, we should make preparation. We must develop a living relationship with Christ within with an increasing and ongoing trust in Him to lead us. We must PRE-PROGRAM God into our lives. When we see on TV or read about sinful circumstances, we must picture ourselves instantaneously fleeing to Christ if and when those circumstances overshadow us. Only in this way of preparation will we react in God’s way.

In conclusion, if a person yields quickly, of course he is whipped at the start; he gives the chance of victory away without even a decent showing.

If a person plays with his temptation, as so many do, if he dallies and lingers, if he hangs around the fire poking in it with things flammable, then he is whipped, too. His defeat is sure. He is only treading water before he surely sinks.

If a person fights his temptation by calling on his own strength of mind and body, he will only concentrate on the temptation more and sap what little strength of his own that he has.

The key is to trust in Christ ONLY against the temptation. Every temptation so approached is already defeated. Every temptation is a chance for a victory by Christ. It is a chance to make the tempter know anew that he is defeated.

There is a will of the soul within, and a victorious Friend within the spirit. When we, as Christians, combine these internal elements of soul and spirit, the benefits of our proper reaction to temptation will reach through all eternity.

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