Unlimited: Temptation is Not Sin
Oct 7, 2021 1993
The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand (1 Corinthians 10:13, NLT).
Oscar Wilde said, “I can resist everything except temptation.” We have to do better than Oscar. God had one Son without sin, but he hasn’t even had one son or daughter without temptation.
It’s very important to know the difference between temptation and sin. There are times when all genuine Christians feel terrible, soiled, besmirched, guilty, because they have fought a battle with sin. Even though they said, “No!” they feel bad about being tempted.
Friends, there is no condemnation in being tempted. There is only condemnation in saying, “Yes!” You may be tempted to lose your temper, to do something drastic, or do something impure. That’s temptation, not sin.
Temptation is not sin. There is only condemnation in saying, “Yes!”
Temptation is our daily companion. To a sensitive, alive, alert person, temptation is a constant associate.
With most of us, it’s not the temptation to do something drastic. Our temptations are much more minor. Our temptations are things we think we can get away with. Most of us aren’t big-time murderers or big-time thieves. We can only get away with the little murders, the small unkindnesses.
You and I are so self-centred by nature, that although the whole world aches for kindness, we are tempted repeatedly to be selfish and unkind when we can get away with it. That is our greatest temptation. – Des Ford (adapted)
Reflection: Think about the last time you were selfish and unkind. We all are, and it can’t have been too long ago! Confess your sin to God, and if you have hurt another person, apologise to them, and make it up to them with some act of kindness.
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