Temptations of Lust...

"Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil"

(Matthew 6:13)

Everyone is tempted! I am, you are, and even Jesus himself was tempted! As a Christian woman, one of the greatest challenges of living the Christian life is dealing with temptations. I am often tempted to spend money that I shouldn’t, I've been tempted to tell white lies, eat while fasting, and as a woman attempting to live a celibate life, I have been sexually tempted. While all of us have faced temptations such as these, the Bible tells us, "the temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure." (I Corinthians 10:13)

Truth of the matter is, temptations will come into every Christian’s life, and the temptations we face fall into three areas: lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16). However, the question is not IF we are tempted, but what we do WHEN we are tempted? In the Bible, God gives many examples of those who faced temptations, but today I want to focus on David and Joseph's encounters with temptation, and how they responded. While temptation to lust is a common problem for many Christians, this post will focus in on the temptation to lust, and what the Bible says about temptation.

First, lets consider the passages from 2 Samuel 11:1-4 where David, the man after God's own heart encountered temptation. ... "1In the spring of the year, when kings normally go out to war, David sent Joab and the Israelite army to fight the Ammonites. They destroyed the Ammonite army and laid siege to the city of Rabbah. However, David stayed behind in Jerusalem. 2 Late one afternoon, after his midday rest, David got out of bed and was walking on the roof of the palace. As he looked out over the city, he noticed a woman of unusual beauty taking a bath. 3 He sent someone to find out who she was, and he was told, “She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” 4 Then David sent messengers to get her; and when she came to the palace, he slept with her.

We see here, David's lust for Bethsheba, and that he fell to temptation. Not only did he fall into temptation, but he actively carried out the sin. He fell into sin with Bathsheba. In verse 4, it says that he slept with her. It's important to note that temptation itself is not a sin. Temptation only becomes sin when we give into the temptation. We can learn from David’s temptation with Bathsheba and remember what not to do in our own struggle with temptation.

Now, lets' look at Joseph who was tempted sexually in Genesis 39:7-12 ...7 and Potiphar’s wife soon began to look at him lustfully. “Come and sleep with me,” she demanded. 8 But Joseph refused. “Look,” he told her, “my master trusts me with everything in his entire household. 9 No one here has more authority than I do. He has held back nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How could I do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God.” 10 She kept putting pressure on Joseph day after day, but he refused to sleep with her, and he kept out of her way as much as possible. 11 One day, however, no one else was around when he went in to do his work. 12 She came and grabbed him by his cloak, demanding, “Come on, and sleep with me!” Joseph tore himself away, but he left his cloak in her hand as he ran from the house.

Unlike David, we see here that Joseph is an outstanding example of how to conquer temptation. Instead of falling into temptation, Joseph resisted temptation. He did not sin against himself, Potiphar, Potiphar’s wife, or God! In verse 10, it says “She kept putting pressure on Joseph day after day, but he refused to sleep with her, and he kept out of her way as much as possible.” Now, even though the Bible tells us, "Every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed."... Joseph did what scripture tells us to do, "Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts." 2 Timothy 2:22

For me, I can remember times in my own life where I fell into temptation like David, and times where I resisted temptation like Joseph. And to this day, I still struggle with particular temptations. But if you too are struggling with temptation in your life, just know you will not be tempted beyond what you can bear. In sum, temptation will always come, but it’s not a matter of IF, but WHEN!!! And when it comes, just keep in mind that God always makes a way of escape. It's important to note that what tempts one person, may not be a temptation for another person, but there are things we can do to not put ourselves in tempting situations. We must also rely on the power of the Holy Spirit inside us to overcome lust every day. Remember, our response to temptation will determine whether we will please our self, or please God.

James 1:12 says, "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."