Step 6: Understanding Temptation
Why We Drift Away and How to Stay Strong
Temptation is a universal human experience that affects everyone, regardless of their spiritual journey or recovery process. Understanding how temptation works and learning to resist it effectively is crucial for maintaining our relationship with God and living according to His will.
What Does the Bible Say About Temptation?
The foundation for understanding temptation can be found in the first three chapters of Genesis, where most biblical themes have their beginning. In these chapters, we see God’s perfect creation, humanity’s purpose, and the introduction of temptation through the serpent.
The Original Setup
God created a good world and placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden with one clear purpose: to tend the garden. They had one simple rule – they could eat from any tree except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This setup gave them a choice: follow God’s way and be blessed, or go their own way and face the consequences.
How Temptation Entered the Picture
Genesis 3:1-6 reveals the serpent’s strategy: “‘Did God really say you must not eat from any tree in the garden?’ The woman said to the serpent, ‘We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden. But God did say, You must not eat from the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it or you will die.’ ‘You will surely not die,’ the serpent said. ‘For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.'”
The serpent didn’t directly attack God’s command. Instead, he got Eve thinking about the forbidden tree, creating doubt and desire that eventually led to disobedience.
Is Being Tempted a Sin?
It’s crucial to understand that being tempted is not sinful. Temptation becomes sin only when we give in to it. In fact, if you’re being tempted, it might indicate that you’re doing something right – the devil is trying to get you back because he’s a sore loser.
As James 1:13-15 explains: “When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone. But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desires and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”
How Does the Devil Operate?
The Devil’s Limited Power
It’s important to understand that God and Satan are not equal powers wrestling for our souls. As 1 John 4:4 states: “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
The devil has no power over us and cannot make us do anything we don’t want to do. Both God and the devil need our willing partnership to accomplish their purposes in our lives.
The Four Elements of Temptation
Every temptation encounter follows a similar pattern:
- Distraction – The devil takes something good and makes it look really good, competing with God for our attention
- Discouragement – We become frustrated that we can’t have both God’s way and our desired way
- Doubt – We begin questioning God’s goodness or wisdom
- Disobedience – We finally give in to the temptation
Why Do People Relapse or Fall Away?
Hebrews 2:1 warns: “We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.”
Temptation often starts as a drift away from God rather than a sudden fall. Like a person who had everything in place for recovery but faced a series of devastating setbacks, we can gradually move away from God when life becomes difficult. The devil doesn’t say “go do bad things” – instead, he reminds us of quick fixes and easy solutions to our problems.
How Can We Resist Temptation?
Put on the Full Armor of God
Ephesians 6:13-17 instructs us to “put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground.” This includes:
- The belt of truth
- The breastplate of righteousness
- Feet fitted with the gospel of peace
- The shield of faith
- The helmet of salvation
- The sword of the Spirit (God’s word)
The Key Strategy: Keep Moving Toward God
James 4:7-8 provides the most powerful strategy: “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.”
This isn’t about willpower alone – if it’s just us against the devil, we’ll likely lose. But when we actively move toward God, the devil cannot hit a moving target. As long as we keep doing the things that draw us closer to God, the devil doesn’t stand a chance in our lives.
Life Application
The key to overcoming temptation isn’t just resisting bad things – it’s actively pursuing God. This week, identify the spiritual disciplines and practices that draw you closer to God, and commit to doing them consistently. Whether it’s prayer, reading Scripture, fellowship with other believers, or serving others, keep moving toward God.
Ask yourself these questions:
- What areas of my life am I allowing to drift away from God’s will?
- What spiritual practices help me feel closest to God, and am I doing them regularly?
- When I face temptation, do I try to resist it through willpower alone, or do I actively turn toward God?
- How can I better recognize the early stages of temptation (distraction and discouragement) before they lead to doubt and disobedience?
Remember, temptation starts as a drift away from God and leads to disobedience if we don’t catch it in time. Stay alert, keep moving toward God, and trust that He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
