IS TEMPTATION ONLY SEXUAL?
“No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll always be there to help you come through it.”
1 Corinthians 10:13 The Message
Temptation comes in all sorts of shapes and sizes—yet our culture nails it down (or used to) to sex outside of marriage, either before or after the fact. Or it trivializes the enormity of sin to eating a huge, gooey, yummy dessert.
BUT, what does being tempted to sin say about us? That we are terrible people? Or simply that we are human beings with a nature that is susceptible to sin?
The truth is: when we are tempted in any way, God is offering us an opportunity to experience His power to resist all temptations no matter what shape they come in. When the Tempter whispers, “Why Not? You know you want to do this. Just do it!” he is enticing you as he did with Eve.
And what does the Holy Spirit say? I have given you the power of Self-Control. You do not have to be a victim of your feelings, longings, or needs. (Galatians 5:22-25)
Remember God’s promise: there is no test or temptation that comes your way that is beyond His ability to overcome it. The challenge is will we take it, or will we give in to it?
But TEMPTATION does more than help us grow spiritually—the Holy Spirit can use it to show us things deep within that we weren’t aware of. Let me share two personal examples (and there are many more) of temptations that became points of praise because God CAN DELIVER US FROM THE TEMPTER’S SNARE.
As a young mom in a BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) discussion group I got quite annoyed at a fellow class member. She seemed to have all the answers for my excuses why I couldn’t get my lesson done. And she didn’t even have small children. I stewed over her comments for days—but it got even worse the following week! I heard she was invited to be a group Discussion Leader. I couldn’t fathom why she was chosen and decided I’d never want to be in her group!
And then the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart, “Poppy, you are jealous because she was chosen to be a leader and you weren’t!” Ever heard that kind of message? Ever been tempted to envy someone else? Or been jealous of their talents or opportunities? I was—and have at other times. And each time, the Holy Spirit revealed to me an inner need that I was blind to.
But here’s the revelation that came out of that experience—God had planted in me the desire to encourage women to grow in Christ. I had no idea He intended to make me a Discussion Leader (the invitation came the following week—after I’d repented of my sinful attitude). And all that has happened over the years was in His plan. But first, He had to clean up my heart!
Anger was another temptation I regularly experienced in the early years of marriage. But God spoke through the above verse from James. We’re not without His powerful help and practical instruction—if we choose to pray “God, help me. I don’t want to give in to my temptation to speak harshly. Or to be full of negative, critical remarks about others. Change my heart. Alert me to when I’m about to blurt out something that hurts and wounds another.”
IS TEMPTATION ONLY SEXUAL? NO, MY FRIENDS. IT ISN’T!
If you need encouragement or guidance in this area—don’t stay stuck! Get in touch! God calls us to be holy, to be lights in our home, family, community, and the world we’re part of. Refuse the Tempter’s whispers and experience the reality of God’s power in your life.
I'd love to provide a safe, non-judgmental and confidential space to help you if you're wrestling with something that's troubling you. I am available by phone or via Zoom. Email me and let's schedule a time to meet.
Love and may God’s overcoming power be your experience,
Poppy
Is Spiritual Growth only for women who are Super-Saints? Do you blow it sometimes? Compare yourself to others who seem spiritually all together? Wonder if a not-so-perfect woman can still be loved and used by God? If you do, let best-selling author and not-so-perfect woman, Poppy Smith, encourage you to hang in there!
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