Day 26: Growing through temptation

Day 26: Growing through temptation

What is temptation, in the first place?

Temptation simply provides the choice.
Rick Warren – The Purpose Driven Life

Temptation is just another Satan's weapon to destroy you. When we choose to feed the good one, we are growing in the character of Christ. But we need to identify the character qualities of Jesus beforehand. But it is not very hard; it is stated in the Bible:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23

In other words, to be like Jesus, these are the qualities that we must have in ourselves. And Holy Spirit does not just produce the fruit in us instantly. Fruit always matures and ripens slowly.

God develops the fruit of the Spirit in your life by allowing you to experience circumstances in which you're tempted to express the exact opposite quality! Character development always involves a choice, and temptation provides that opportunity.
Rick Warren – The Purpose Driven Life

God allows chaos and confusions in us to develop peace in us, and that is when we choose to trust God in circumstances in which we are tempted to worry or be scared.

You can't claim to be good if you've never been tempted to be bad. You can't claim to be faithful if you've never had the opportunity to be unfaithful. Integrity is built by defeating the temptation to be dishonest; humility grows when we refuse to be prideful; and endurance develops every time you reject the temptation to give up. Every time you defeat a temptation, you become more like Jesus.
Rick Warren – The Purpose Driven Life

A long quote, but that' what I think significant and of which I highlighted.

How temptation works

Satan uses four-step process to tempt us. Paul said:

For we are not unaware of his (Satan's) schemes.
2. Corinthians 2:11

1. Satan identifies a desire inside of you. It could be a sinful desire, for example to revenge, or just legitimate, normal one, such as to be loved and valued by others. It is all started with a suggestion by Satan that we give in to an evil desire. "You deserve better" and "It is exciting, comforting" resounds in your head. God says temptation begins within us; it is not laid around us.

For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance, and folly. All these evils come from inside ad make a man 'unclean'.
Mark 7:21-23

2. Satan confuses us and makes us doubt. "Sins, are they really wrong?" "Did God really say you cannot do this?" And in the end, we confused.

Watch out! Don't let evil thoughts or doubts make any of you turn from the living God.
Hebrews 3:12 Contemporary English Version

3. Satan's deception. But we know his is the Father of lies. What he tells is untrue, or just half-true.

4. Our disobedience. We take in Satan's words and fall for the trap. James warns us:

Each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. Don't be deceived, my dear brothers.
James 1:14-16

Overcoming temptation

1. Refuse to be intimidated. We will never outgrow temptation. It is not a sin to be tempted. Jesus was too tempted, but He never sin.

You can't keep the Devil from suggesting thoughts, but you can choose not to dwell or act on them.
Rick Warren – The Purpose Driven Life

2. Recognize your pattern of temptation and be prepared for it. In other words, understand yourself. If you know yourself will always fall for temptation to play DotA like me, uninstall WarCraft: III^© like me. If you can't stop yourself from keep on playing Civilization^© like Jia Jin, break it into pieces and into rubbish bin you throw it, just like Jia Jin. My point is, know how will you be tempted, and avoid it. Paul said:

Do not give the Devil a foothold.
Ephesians 4:27

Now, if the Devil asks me to play DotA, I'll just smile back to him, "how to play if I don't have the game, the CD, everything? Want me to download it? Internet in my hostel down. Hu hu hu~" I made it so informal, but this is how I overcome =)

3. Request God's help. God is a 24/7 hotline. So don't hesitate to give him a SOS call.

and call upon me in the day of trouble;
I will deliver you, and you will honor me.
Psalms 50:15

God wants us through temptations to grow into Christlike. If it is so, why don't we turn to him more often? If you fall for a certain temptation again and again, like me, go back to God for help.

God never gets irritated, bored, or impatient when we keep coming back to Him.
Rick Warren – The Purpose Driven Life

I prayed so hard and long, before I decide to uninstall WarCraft: III^©, you know. I prayed until cried, knowing myself that I loved DotA-ing very much. I enjoyed playing with people from all around the world. But after the cry I smiled, because finally, life will never be the same again. It has been a bad habit for me to indulge in it and play until 3:00am (GMT+1:00) here in Germany, or 6:00am (GMT+8:00) in Cemara back in Malaysia last time. It was really a distorted life. But anyway, ask God for the power to do the right thing and then expect Him to provide it. Are you thinking the Bible Verse like I do?

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receive; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
Matthew 7:7

Yes, and instead of giving in or giving up, why not look up to God, expect Him to help you, and remember the reward that is waiting for you.

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
James 1:12

Serving the Lord our God,

Vincent