The Reality of Temptation

Temptation is a reality each person eventually recognizes and then will ultimately decide on a course of action to manage it constructively. It is indisputable that temptation has an agenda and will make its presence known at the most inopportune times, especially a time when resisting seems impossible.

Conforming to the objectives of temptation involves submitting to its charm while disregarding your faith and morals. Agreeing emotionally, mentally, socially, and spiritually with temptation’s demands is a ticket to disaster. Temptation relentlessly pursues it victims, even in the presence of God’s grace and mercy.

The apostle Paul gives this advice for resisting temptation’s cutting edge: “Do not copy the customs and behavior of this world but let God transform you inwardly to a new and different person with a fresh newness in all you do and think.”  As you submit to God’s transforming grace, you’re empowered to resist the evil of temptation’s power.             

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God rescued us from dead-end alleys and dark dungeons. He’s set us up in the kingdom of the Son he loves so much, the Son who got us out of the pit we were in, got rid of the sins we were doomed to keep repeating.

~Colossians 1:13-14  The Message

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A Leap in the Dark

One of the most difficult features for making forgiveness a reality is seeing meaning and purpose in the suffering that was experienced. This insight creates a pathway for moving forward to discover and accept how others also suffered. Isaiah 53:3 describes Jesus as being “despised and rejected, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief.”

It’s critically important to understand that forgiveness serves as a  bridge to healing the wounds that caused so much suffering. Transforming a desire to forgive into reality takes courage and faith. Henry David Thoreau said, "We walk consciously part way toward our goal, and then it may take a leap in the dark to secure our objective."

 

There's a timeframe when we're suspended in darkness waiting to see if forgiveness is accepted, yet it’s imperative to take the initiative to seek forgiveness regardless of the cost. The Apostle Paul states emphatically, "I want to know Christ and the fellowship of sharing his suffering."  Forgiveness is the pathway to freedom and joy. 

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When people sin, you should forgive and comfort them, so they won’t give up in despair. You should make them sure of your love for them.

~2 Corinthians 2:7-8 Contemporary English Version

For he has rescued us out of the darkness and gloom of Satan’s kingdom and brought us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who bought our freedom with his blood and forgave us all our sins.

~Colossians 1:13-14 The Living Bible

Trust God's Process to Forgiveness

Three basic emotions that keep forgiveness within darkness are anger, fear and hurt. Lack of trust is positioned alongside these and stands as a barrier to peace and unity. It’s unbelievable how a person not only can lose all regard for someone they previously loved, but given enough disappointments and apathy, their will to forgive may evaporate.

The more intense anger, fear and hurt become, the harder it is to trust forgiveness. This doesn’t imply that forgiveness is out of the question. It does mean, however, that serious issues encased in these emotions need be addressed before forgiveness can be considered. People require boundaries to insure their emotional and physical health.

Setting boundaries is one step to forgiveness but does not disregard God's word instructing us to forgive others as he has forgiven us. Forgiveness must ensure that proper boundaries have been established so the bridge to integrity and personal safety can be ultimately built and maintained. God rejects chaos and disunity, for he is a God of stability.  

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For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.

~Colossians 1:13-14 New Living Translation

Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him to help you do it and he will.

~Psalm 36:5 The Living Bible

Forgiven > Transformed > Forgiving

When forgiveness is perceived as a concrete reality, it paves the way for transformation to take place in one's feelings and behavior. As the Holy Spirit convicts a person of sin, it produces repentance. God forgives our sins and remembers them no more because we are precious in his sight.

 

Forgiveness creates a less stressful environment. When the truth of God’s love is grasped, it makes way for a receptiveness that anchors a transforming change in the way we think and feel about God, ourselves and others. The value of that transformation is that we belong to God and our salvation is secured. 

Listen to the words of God from Isaiah 43: “Fear not for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name and you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and when you walk through the fire, the flames will not set you ablaze, for I am the Lord your God and Savior.” When we forgive someone from the depths of our being, it has the power to transform a life or a broken relationship. 

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God rescued us from the dark power of Satan and brought us into the kingdom of his dear Son, who forgives our sins and sets us free.

~Colossians 1:13-14 Contemporary English Version

It is God himself who has made us what we are and given us new lives from Christ Jesus, and long ages ago he planned that we should spend these lives in helping others.

~Ephesians 2:10 The Living Bible

“I’m giving you a new order: Love one another! Love one another as I have loved you.”

~John 13:34 Beck – New Testament in the Language of Today

Sin --> Grief and Loss

Those individuals who practice deception as a means of satisfying their ego demands eventually push their tactics too far and consequently end up in harm’s way. When Rebekah and Jacob used their manipulative skills to steal Esau’s blessing, they were shocked and panicked to learn of Esau’s intent to kill Jacob as an act of revenge.

  

In the panic, Rebekah managed for Jacob to be sent to her brother’s home hundreds of miles away and carried out her plan under the cover of lies. Rebekah and Jacob would not confess their deceit or seek forgiveness, but continued building a bridge to grief and loss. Jacob would never again see his mother or father alive.

  

From Esau’s perspective, he lost out in every way imaginable. Earlier he had married two Canaanite women who were unacceptable. Now he would go to his uncle Ishmael to find a wife who was acceptable. At times it seems that redemption is out of reach, but God is patient and will wait for His perfect plan to be activated. Is God waiting for you?