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Is Temptation a Sin?
Picture this in your own mind. You are going down the street and minding your own business, when all of a sudden, there it is, right in front of you, from out of no where a huge temptation catches you by surprise. Now being tempted by what you have just seen, thoughts from the temptation start shooting through your mind. O.K., stop the picture…
Has any thing like this ever happened to you? Or can you picture your self in that situation?
Let me ask you a question? Was that an actual sin that was just committed, or was it just a temptation that was presented.
Some would say it was indeed a SIN. Because if an evil thought goes through your mind, you are sinning. Especially if it was a man being temped by a woman. Because the Bible says if a man looks at a woman, he commits sin in his heart.
Then others would say NO, that was not SIN. That was only a temptation. To be tempted is not a sin. It is only a sin if you yield or give in to the temptation. It is the Devil who puts those evil thoughts in your mind, but it is up to us to cast those evil thoughts down and not to give in to them.
What a contrast of different opinions. Which one is truly right?
Well, before we can answer this question correctly, we first need to understand exactly what temptation is.
So what is Temptation?
Temptation is the act of being tempted.
The dictionary’s definition of temptation is described as “an act of some one or some thing, trying to persuade, entice or convince some one to do something immoral or wrong.
So with the dictionary’s definition, all temptation really is, is the ACT of being tempted.
So is it a Sin to be tempted?
Not according to the Bible, but to give into temptation is a sin.
What about that one scripture that the Bible says “If a man looks at a woman he has already committed adultery in his heart. We all know that adultery is a Sin.
That is certainly true and I think that most of us would agree with that statement.
But let us take a closer look and read what scripture really says. This scripture is many times misquoted, so let us read it straight out of God’s Word (The Bible). This scripture is in Matt 5:28 Jesus is the one speaking here. It says “But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
So Jesus said if a man looks at a woman to lust after her. then he is sinning. But a man minding his own business really can’t help seeing something that could possibly tempt him.
Let’s look at a couple of key examples out of the Bible of different ones that were tempted in different ways. This will give us a better feel on how temptation works and how we as Christians can fight against it.
The first example is how even our Lord Jesus was tempted:
Mat 4:8-10 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
We see in this scripture, the Tempter, Satan, was trying to tempt (or persuade) even Jesus the Son of God to do something that was wrong. Jesus didn’t Sin just because he was presented with a few temptations. But he would have, if he didn’t resist them and gave in to them.
Let’s look at one more example of temptation, that didn’t have such a good ending. In Gen 3:1 -6 we find the first recorded temptation. Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? 2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: 3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. 4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. 6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
So, we will find the tempter was doing what he does best, tempting Eve in the Garden of Eden. It was not a sin to Eve to be tempted. (It was more like a test). But it was a sin to yield to the temptation that was presented to her. Eve should have rebuked the tempter (Like Jesus did) and cast away the thoughts that were presented to her.
These are two examples of what to do and what not to do when temptation comes our way.
Did you know that Jesus was tempted in all points, just like we are.
Yes it’s true… The Bible tells us in Heb 4:15 That Jesus was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. If being tempted were a sin, then Jesus would be a sinner. The Bible tells us that Jesus never sinned. Being tempted is not a sin unless we stop resisting the tempter and give in (or surrender) to the temptation. Being tempted is just a trial that we can have victory over with the help of our Lord Jesus.
Jesus is our example
The Bible also teaches us that Jesus is our example and we need to follow him. Consider what he did when he was tempted. Jesus essentially told the devil to “Get out of here”! And the devil left.
In order to get the same results, we need to do the same thing that Jesus did.
When Satan comes and presents us with an evil thought or a temptation, we need to tell him to “Get out of here”!
Jesus tells us if we resist the devil, he will take off
James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
If Christ commands us to resist the devil and has given us the ability to cast down temptation and to control our thoughts; we need to do it.
2 Cor 10:5 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
WOW! Did you hear that? Is the scripture is telling us that we have control even over our own thoughts. Let’s read that again…bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
This doesn’t mean that once you cast a temptation out of your mind, that it isn’t going to come right back. Unfortunately the tempter, many times will come back with the same temptation over and over to try and wear you down. Just like Satan tried to do to Jesus. But I have good news...
Christ will not let us be tempted, more than we can handle
The Lord knows how much we can handle. If Jesus is controlling our lives he helps us to never have to give in to temptation again. Never!
1 Cor 10:13 Basically tells us that there is not excuse to give into temptation
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Jesus helps those that are tempted
Jesus suffered temptation and the Bible tells us that he is able to help us.
Heb 2:18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour (Help) them that are tempted.
There is actually a good reason why we are so sorely tempted. Once we realize how we can resist temptation over and over with God’s help, without giving in to it, we will understand that this is the very thing that strengthens our experience with Christ. We will also be able to rejoice because we will have total victory over temptation and thus, we will receive a crown of life.
James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
And verse 12 tells us that we are even blessed when we endure temptation
12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. 13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
Many people think that when a temptation or an evil thought comes into our mind that they are sinning. But the fact is, if we deliberately put that thought there, then yes we are sinning. (The key word here is deliberately) But in many cases it is the tempter who puts that thought there (Why do you think the Bible calls Satin the tempter) and once we realize that the old tempter is up to his evil tricks again then we can rebuke him and not give in to his evil ways.
As we can plainly see by these last scriptures, giving in to temptation is actually a process.
1). First we have to be enticed or presented with a temptation to be tempted.
2). Secondly, Once we realize that we are being tempted, we then can make a conscious decision to keep the evil thought as ours (and Sin) or to cast it away (and Sin not). The choice is ours.
3). If we cast temptation away (like Jesus did) we will have total victory.
But if we do not cast temptation away when it comes, (Like Eve didn’t) then we are actually setting our
selves up to fail. (Like Eve did)
So to answer the question; Is Temptation a Sin?
The Bible clearly shows us it is not.
But to give into temptation or surrender to temptation is a Sin
Do you know if there is Really A Hell?
This is a good question to ask, because we most defiantly want to make sure we never end up there by chance. The word Hell is mentioned 54 times in the Bible and even Jesus himself had a few things to tell us about this place.
An account of a man that was actually in hell.
In the book of Luke, Jesus tells us about a man’s experience that was actually in hell. He starts out by saying…”There was a certain rich man” … This is not just a story or a parable that Jesus was trying to teach. Jesus said that there was, Meaning that this was a true live event that actually took place. Let’s read this account out of the Bible and hear what Jesus truly said.
Luke 16:19-24
19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores
21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
We can see by what Jesus said, that Yes there is a literal hell. We also can see that Hell is not a place where we want to end up.
Why was hell made?
Hell was actually intended for Satan him self and all of his helpers or angles… not for the righteous.
Matt 25:41
Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
Who is going to hell?
The Bible shows us that the righteous will inherit the kingdom of heaven and the unrighteous will depart into Hell.
Matt 25:31-46
31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory,(This is Jesus) and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
How do you get out of Hell?
Matt 25:46 says And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. Jesus, not only says that the unrighteous are going to go away to be punished but he says “to everlasting punishment”. Everlasting means forever and that there is no way out.
Would such a loving God send people to Hell?
I can soundly tell you NO…God does not send any one to Hell. But we our selves are the ones who make a conscious choice where we are going to speed eternity. God actually loves us so much that he has already pre-designed or predestinated for every single one of us to be with him.
(Read Eph 1:4-7 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace);
And the way he has done this, is by redeeming us through his blood (the plan of Salvation). This is why Jesus went through all the trouble to die on the cross. In other words Christ has prepared a way for us to be with him in heaven, but this can only happen through the way he intended it to be done. If we choose our own way rather than Gods plan of Salvation, then we are the ones that make the choice to separate our selves form him... You see, the ball is in our court and the choice is in fact ours. Christ has all ready done his part, but the question is; are we going to do our part? God does not send any one to Hell but rather People send them selves … we make our choice here on earth if we are going to take God’s plan of salvation or to choose any other alternative, which is unfortunately Hell. If we turn Heaven down, then it is Hell that we are choosing.
Are you going to choose not to go?
Let me make a suggestion. Choice not to go to Hell today. A matter of fact, do it right now.
Choose to give the rest of your live to Jesus.
Choose to spend eternity in heaven.
Tell Jesus that you are sorry for your past sins and that you wish to be forgiven for all of them.
Tell him if he forgives you; that you will turn completely away from those wicked ways.
The Bible tells us in Isaiah 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
Jesus will not only forgive you; but the Bible says he will do this abundantly. He wants to forgive you.
Jesus has been waiting for you, to ask for forgiveness. He wants you to spend eternity with him in Heaven.
This is absolutely the most important choice you will ever make. And if you choose God’s way, it will also be the best way. And once Jesus forgives you from all of your sins, he will then give you control never to Sin again. Yes, I know this is a bold statement, but it is a true one. I have seen it happen in people over and over again. This is the reason why Jesus died and shed his blood. Not only to take away your sins, but to actually give you the power to live a pure, clean and sinless life. Why don’t you do this right now? Give your life Jesus. Don’t procrastinate any longer. You will be glad you did.
Thanks for reading this message and may God richly bless your life.
If nobody is perfect, why did Jesus say,
“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your father in heaven is perfect.”? The bible makes reference to men that were perfect at least 40 times. Gen 6:9 says, Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God. Job 1:1 tells us that Job was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed (or forsook) evil. Gen 17:1 tells us, …the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.
God would not require Abram to be perfect if it were impossible. In fact the command to be perfect is in the bible at least 16 times. 1 Kings 8:61 says, Let your heart therefore be perfect with the LORD our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day.
When we see the word “let” in the bible we know that it is a command. When God said, Let there be light – the lights came on my friend. And when He commands us to be perfect, it is a command that we need to obey also. Some other places that command us to be perfect are: 2 Cor 13:11, Col 1:28, and Phil 3:12-15.
In Mathew 5:48, Jesus himself commands us, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your father in heaven is perfect.” Why would Jesus tell to be perfect if it were not possible? It wouldn’t be a fair command if we had no choice... But Jesus is always fair - He would never ask you to do something unless He knew it was possible.
There is a huge difference between being humanly perfect, and being perfect in your heart before God. Human perfection is unobtainable. As humans we all make mistakes. We still hit our fingers with hammers occasionally, get in car accidents, trip and fall, and even dial the wrong phone number. Jesus does not require human perfection from us. He does require heart perfection.
To have a perfect heart before God, a person must confess that he/she is a sinner, ask God forgiveness for all their sins, and forsake their sins.
In a day and age when everyone seems to be saying that nobody’s perfect, it makes you wonder: Are we as a society completely out of touch with the bible plan? Even most religions press the thought that no one is perfect – we all have to sin. The answer is that both society, and most of religion is does not believe in living perfect before God as the bible commands.
Jesus died to save you from, not in, your sin. The scripture that states that is Matthew 1:21 If you want to read a few more places in the bible that talk about living free from sin, look up: Romans the 6th chapter, and 1st John the 3rd chapter.
People laugh at the idea of being perfect. They say things like, “If you’re perfect, go walk on water.” But no matter how they mock, the bible and Jesus himself still require us to be perfect – and, there are still people that live perfectly, without sin, before God.
The Church of God has a whole congregation full of people who have been saved from a life of sin. When we turned to God, we turned our backs on everything that was evil in our lives – and we quit sinning. I mean we forsook it all: Drinking, lying, smoking, cheating, drugs, gangs, fighting, hating, cussing and evil attitudes. I’m not talking about turning over a new leaf or making improvement over time – I’m talking about a radical change in our lives that only God could make possible.
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