Deeper Life #97

But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

—James 1:14

TEMPTATION MAY BEST BE CALLED “that wild reach of possibility” which stretches one to fame or infamy; and the higher we walk, the more severe the temptation. Temptation simply indicates the sublime nobility of the character God is building within us.

It is impossible to be free from temptation; but temptation is not sin. If temptation were sin, then the Lord Jesus Christ was a sinner.

Two kinds of temptation are mentioned in the New Testament. First, we read of the temptation by Satan, such as that experienced by our Lord Jesus Christ. Secondly, we notice the temptation arising from the old disposition of sin within us (see James 1:14). We would avoid a lot of confusion if we clearly distinguished between these two types of temptation.

We are always responsible for temptation from our old disposition, because the atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ could radically alter that disposition if we would let Him. But we are not responsible for the temptation from Satan. That sort comes by the express permission of God, who at times seems to say to the Devil, “Do your worst. He that is in them is greater than you!”

Prayer Thought: Father, help me to resist Satan, knowing that he will flee from me.

SUGGESTED READING: Hebrews 2:6–18