Sermon On Temptation

Derek Charles Blasberg, an American journalist, socialite, best selling author and television personality once remarked: “Temptation is as old as time; or at least the history of temptation extends as far back as the moment Eve gave Adam that serpent’s apple. But what sets the lady apart from the tramp is the ability to acknowledge she needs to clean up her act - and then, of course, the fact that she actually does clean up her act.” Genesis 3:1-5 reminds us: “Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

We all suffer temptation at some point in our earthly journey, it is a natural part of life. It is defined as the desire to do something, especially something wrong or unwise. It can be attributed to an impulse that encourages us to deviate from the path of righteousness but can often result in regret. The ability to refrain from this allurement can be considered a great strength of inner quality. 1 Corinthians 10:13 reminds us: “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

It could be regarded as a test in life instigated by evil, to ascertain our vulnerability to enticement. Temptation is not considered Godly and is often an incitement to sin. We, as mere mortals, can be seen as weak in body and mind and can be easily led astray. Sometimes our desires replace the goodness within us, as we often lack the inward strength and stamina to resist them. If we can overcome the temptations in life then our eternal rewards will be enhanced significantly. James 4:7 reminds us: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

There was once a young writer who, after several submissions to various publishers, was eventually successful in getting his first novel accepted for publication. He inwardly felt a great sense of achievement in what was considered a difficult market for beginners. Those long and arduous hours he had spent at his typewriter, the repetitive discarding of pages and pages of typescript which had been deemed unworthy and needed to be rewritten. Everything from the sleepless nights to the necessary hours of thought process had eventually reaped benefits beyond his wildest dream. The completed manuscript had taken some three and a half years to finalise and he felt a great sense of relief that his goal in life had eventually been reached.

He had been married to his wife for five years, which as yet had not produced any offspring. Although they both loved children and proposed to have at least two in the future, it was considered more beneficial at present due to other commitments. The initial temptation to spend money had to be curtailed through a lack of funds. However, they were tempted to treat themselves to an expensive dinner at a posh restaurant to celebrate their good fortune. During their courting days, they had once enjoyed a memorable meal at a particular venue and decided it would be nice to relive the experience. James 1:12-16 reminds us: "Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is fully grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.”

They reserved a table at Simpsons, an extremely fashionable restaurant in the West End of London and on arrival were shown to their table by the head waiter with the utmost courtesy, only expected in top-class restaurants. When they had been seated, the table napkins were placed across their laps with finesse and they were each given the menu to peruse. Shortly afterwards a waiter, in full morning dress, arrived to take their order. His wife stated that the food looked very appealing but expensive and asked her husband if he was sure that he could afford such extravagance. He replied: "Sure. I am certain that we can easily afford it. There is over £150 in our joint account." However, he had inadvertently forgotten a debit of £125 for an electricity bill that had just been paid. Luke 4:1-4 reminds us: “And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’”