The Shocking Truth Why You are Tempted
By: Bruce Wilkinson
Introduction
Your best friend at work has a problem. He's already been caught twice and booked once. He's a compulsive shoplifter.
You've never understood it to much, but today you are at the mall together looking for a birthday present for his
wife. You've been talking back and forth and then you notice that he's sweating. It's the dead of winter and it
must only be 68 degrees. So, you ask him what's the matter. he looks down at the floor and admits that every moment
is severe temptation to steal. He admits that every second is a desperate struggle to steal everything in sight.
And, if he doesn't get out of there in five minutes he's going to be in real trouble.
What happened? You both saw the same things. Nothing tempted you and everything tempted him. But then everything
changes. Three weeks later you're both together on a business conference half way across the country far away from
home. That night in your room you're the one sweating. You promised yourself you would not turn on those X-rated
movies again. But you can't go to sleep. It's two in the morning and neither your cold shower or your sleeping
pills worked. Your shoplifter friend is in the next room sound asleep and never even gave the TV a second thought
- and here you are with your hand trembling as it moves closer and closer to the remote control.
What the Bible teaches
The Bible reveals more secrets than any other book ever written. It peels away the covers and puts everything into
the light for all to see. Do you know what it reveals about your temptations? James 1:14 said it,
"But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust (desires), and enticed."
What is the real cause of those severe temptations? Was it those department store products for your friend or
those X-rated movies for you? it may appear so, but it really isn't. Not even for a moment.
It is nothing on the outside but everything on the inside. Look how the Bible reveals the real source - "when
he is drawn away of his own lust." The source of temptation is inside of you! A temptation can only be a true
"temptation" if it "tempts" you. If it doesn't tempt you, then it's just another department
store product or television set in some distant hotel.
The word "desires" is the word we translate "lusts" and appears in the following verses
which help clarify quickly what really is the root of all temptations:
"Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also
lusted." 1 Corinthians 1:6
"But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hat committed adultery with
her already in his heart." Matthew 5:28
"From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in
your members? Ye lust, and have not:" James 4:1-2a
"But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof."
Romans 13:14
"That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful
lusts." Ephesians 4:22
"But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful
lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition." 1 Timothy 6:9
"Flee also youthful lusts...." 2 Timothy 2:22a
"Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against
the soul;" 1 Peter 2:11
"For all that is not in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of of the eyes, and the pride of
life, is not of the Father, but is of the world." 1 John 2:16
It's Up To You
Wow, what a revelation. Since temptations are only temptations because of that which is inside of us, then none
of us "real men" can blame "her" or "it" ever again. The only person we can dare
blame for that temptation is what lies in the lusts of our heart.
Passing the blame to the thing outside of us has always been the way to squirm out of the responsibility and
accountability. Ever heard those famous words, "The woman made me eat it" or "The woman that you
gave me" or "The fruit looked so good and I just had to...."
Temptations only work because of your lusts. If you want to know what to do with your lusts, just underline
the directions for all of us in the above verses.
Morning Prayer
Dear Faithful Father,
Good morning Lord! Your presence has guarded me all the night. Your Glory radiates in the heavens and Your Love
is shed abroad in my heart. How I praise You for working in my heart and for strengthening me as I seek for personal
holiness.
I thank You for Your unending Faithfulness to me. It amazes me that you are so active in every part of my life
including my temptations! Thank You for putting Divine Limits on my temptations so that none are too strong for
me. Thank You for also making "the" way of escape for each temptation so I don;t have to be trapped by
temptations. Thank you for making sure that I can "bear" every temptation without sinning. My heart sings
to you - - How wonderful are all your ways to me.
Afternoon Bible reading
James 1:13 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. 16 Do not
err, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father
of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. 18 Of his own will begat he us with the word
of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
Afternoon Prayer
My Pure and Holy God,
You are never tempted! You will never tempt anyone - including me. Instead of tempting me to evil and harm,
You give me every good and perfect gift.
Lord, I confess that at times I have felt that my worse temptations were all Your fault. I have secretly blamed
You. how sobering to realize that my temptations ultimately were from the lusts of my own heart. If I didn't lust,
then I wouldn't be enticed to sin in that area. Lord, I fully accept my responsibility to no longer seek to blame
anyone or anything else.
Oh Holy Father, cleanse my lustful heart! Purify my thoughts and actions. I confess my sins and humble myself
before Your Glorious holiness.
Evening Bible Reading
Hebrews 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God,
let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our
infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto
the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 2:18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted.
Evening Prayer
Dear Jesus my High Priest,
You are my personal high Priest, Oh Jesus the Son of Glory! You left heaven to die for me and now you actively
intercede in heaven for me!
You understand all of my temptations because you were tempted in all points like me, yet You did not sin. Forgive
me for thinking You did not or could not understand my trials with temptations to sin! Therefore, I pledge I will
come quickly and boldly the next time I face temptations.
Lord, why do I rely on my own strength in temptations? Why do I not flee to your face because you "aid
those who are tempted." Oh Lord, I have sinned because of my weakness, but in my next temptation, I will seek
Your aid.
Thank You for Your death for me and now your life in me! Amen.
