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Temptation

Introduction

Just as Joseph’s story takes an interesting turn from adversity to prosperity, so comes the natural next step in his journey – temptation. As was the case with our earlier lesson on “pride,” we don’t have any overt indicators in the Bible that Joseph battled “temptation.” However, as an Old Testament Christ figure, we can deduce that if Jesus was “tempted in every way” (Hebrews 4:15), then Joseph likewise dealt with temptation.

The Reasons for Temptation

Temptation has been part of the human story from our earliest days. From the moment Adam and Eve succumbed to the serpent’s tempting, humanity has existed in a fallen state. Therefore, each person has to deal with their own personal predilections in the arena of temptation. Thus, the first reason for temptation is personal.

The second reason for temptation is communal. Because we all share some common human traits, we find certain temptations that have persisted regardless of time, place, or culture. Unfortunately, when sin entered our world through the Fall, temptations involving greed/envy, power, and lust/sex became commonplace.

• Do you have self-awareness in the especially alluring areas of temptation?

The Effects of Temptation

We cannot discuss the concept of temptation and its effect without considering its often-experienced next step – sin. Temptation that is succumbed to is sin. Like a battering ram at the gates of our lives, the temptation is relentless until it breaks through, bringing sin and death. So, in short, one serious effect of temptation is destruction.

Another effect of temptation is a dulling of the senses. Because we know that temptation does not always lead to sin, we sometimes don’t take its assaults as seriously as we should. Someone once quipped that we shouldn’t ask to be delivered from temptation because it might ruin our fun. Like an adrenaline junkie, we play with temptation forgetting that its likely result over time is sin – which “takes us further than we want to go, costs us more than we want to pay, keeps us longer than we want to stay.” This effect of temptation is an insidious one – distraction.

• Have you noticed the dulling effect of temptation in your life?

Will Temptation Master You?

• What controls have you placed in your life to deal with temptation?
• How have you recovered in past instances where temptation became sin?