Truths For Times Of Temptation

Friends in Christ,

A venerable legend tells that the trees in the forest gathered to have a meeting to discuss ways to unite against the very sharp axe that had cut down so many of their friends – oak, maple, spruce, poplar. One by one, the axe had sliced into them and cut them down for firewood. The remaining trees had had enough! They agreed that they would no longer supply woods for an axe handle. Not a single piece of wood for any axe handle! It seemed like a wise, safe plan. But, the axe had found a way to be part of the gathering. Before the meeting adjourned, the axe asked to speak and was, reluctantly, given the opportunity. With moving eloquence, the axe said that he agreed that enough was enough. If he was given just one more piece of wood for a new handle, he promised to cut only brush and scrub plants so that the elegance of the trees could be better seen by others. With smooth words, the axe said everything that flattered the trees and convinced them to give him the wood needed for one last handle. Then – just as you have no doubt already figured out – as soon as the new handle was in place, the axe began chopping down as many trees as possible. When the trees complained about his lies and deception, the axe said plainly, “You knew what I was when you saw me. How could you expect any other conclusion? Why did you trust me?”

Indeed, why does temptation seem safe? Why do we allow ourselves to be convinced that things will be different next time? Because, as Martin Luther wrote in the Small Catechism, “The devil, the world and our human nature all conspire against us.”

It is the story of the first Sunday in Lent. We are not immune from temptations, nor was Jesus. Let it be our goal this morning to learn from Him how to handle temptation.

(1) First, see us for who we are. Well meaning, but weak people who are easily tempted and prone to fail. Let me show you. Can you think of the most common temptations that come to us? They may not be what you think! Todd Hunter, in an article on the website FaithGateway, has written that the five most common temptations are (1) anxiety and worry (2) procrastination (3) eating too much (4) overusing the internet and social media and (5) laziness.

I have certainly given in to them. All of them. Too many times. My guess is that you have, as well. The church of the Middle Ages has carried a fable forward through the centuries about a monk – a man of faith and good intentions – who fell into a disgraceful, humiliating sin. But, instead of acknowledging his personal responsibilty for the sin, the monk complained bitterly to the devil, “What business do you have tempting a man of God?” To which the devil replied, “What business does a man of God have being in my territory?”

Indeed. Why do we cross lines we should not cross? Why do we listen to words we know are untrue? Why? Jesus taught us to do and be better when He refused the devil.

(2) That, in turn, moves us to a second principle that can help us when we are tempted. When the devil went to tempt Jesus and divert Him from His mission of earning grace to forgive us, the temptations took place in the wilderness. There was no one else there to support Jesus, no one to encourage Him, no one to guide Him, no one to pray for Him. Was it accidental that the devil tempted Jesus when He was alone? No. It was planned, calculated, scripted because, as we know, our greatest temptations when we are alone.

Can it happen that way for us? Indeed. A Pastor who dearly loved his congregation went to visit one of the members who was slowly slipping away from the church and his faith. Missing one Sunday a month became missing two Sundays a month that became missing the entire month that became no longer going to church, no longer encouraging others or being encouraged by them, no longer receiving the body and blood of Christ in Holy Communion for the forgiveness of sins. When the Pastor knocked on his door, the man invited him inside. The two looked at each other but without speaking a word. Nothing was asked his absence. Nothing was offered as an excuse. Simply a wordless look at each other. The Pastor moved to the front of the fireplace, used the poker to move one of the burning embers to the side, by itself, away from the others, while both men watched it slowly move from red hot to a cold, no longer a burning ember. As the Pastor turned to walk away, the man said, “Thank you, for noticing and caring. I will be back.”