Why Certain Temptations Can Be So Powerful
By: Bruce Wilkinson
Introduction
Not all temptations are equal are they? Some temptations are fleeting and others seem to hound us to death. Some
temptations are weak and easily defeated whereas others are powerful and take everything in us to overcome. The
Bible speaks frequently about temptations and sins, and reveals two special categories of intense temptations.
The first category of intense temptation comes from the supernatural world and is masterminded by the devil. The
second category of intense temptation comes from the internal world and is masterminded by our own flesh. They
are not at all the same, but they are both very difficult to overcome.
What the Bible teaches
The book of Job reveals a supernatural temptation to sin in job's life in which satan taunted God with the words:
"But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the
Lord said unto satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So
satan went forth from the presence of the Lord." (Job 1:11-12)
You can imagine the intensity and destructive power of temptation that satan arrayed against God's man, Job.
To think that this satanic temptation was a normal one is certainly to miss judge the clear teachings of the scriptures.
It is important in this case to recognize that Job had not done anything wrong to bring about such a destructive
temptation. As God stated:
"Have you considered My servant Job that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright
man, one who fears God and shuns evil?"
Not only was Job "blameless," but it appears that he was the most Godly man living on the face of
the entire earth: "there is none like him on the earth."
Such temptation, when it comes directly from the hand of satan, can be completely destructive, painful, enduring,
and confusing. Job lost everything including all of his children, all of his wealth, and all of his health. What
did he do deserve this? He simply walked blameless before God. Such temptations as Job faced may be rare, but a
strong onslaught of the enemy is not all that rare. In fact, the more Godly the man, the more threat he is to the
enemy and therefore, the more deceitful the "lure." The more strategic the ministry that the man is involved
in, the more cunning the attack. In either one of satan's attacks, he still is seeking to destroy the man's character
and life, to cause him to turn against God or to stop ministering for God. Be prepared.
The second type of extra-powerful temptations stems from an entirely different thing. In this case, instead of
the man being so Godly and receiving the strong attacks of the enemy of our soul, this is an ungodly Christian
who is receiving the strong temptations from his consistent pattern of ungodlyness. In this case, the temptations
are from inside the man rather than outside - and from his own lust rather than from the "roaring lion"
seeking to devour.
Romans 6 has much to say about the raging lusts which exist in the believer who continues to give into his lusts:
"Do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts....Do you not know that
whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey...for just as you presented
your members as slaves of uncleannes, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness..."
The more a man "gives into his lusts," the more a man becomes a slave of his lusts. Those lusts grow
from "lawlessness" which leads to "more lawlessness." In other words, plain and simple-if you
continue to permit your lusts to rule over you, they will. And their rulership will grow stronger and stronger.
As their power grows due to to your repeated sin, so will the power of their temptations.
It is for this reason that Christian men experience such powerful addictions to sin. Not because of the overpowering
nature of temptations, but because they have repeatedly-willfully- presented their bodies and souls to that sin.
When, however, that man chooses to repent and renew his mind and reform his behavior-and choose to deny those powerful
lusts-they slowly become less and less powerful. Temptations which seemed like 30' tidal waves soon become typical
4 footers. Eventually, through persistence and active submission to the holy Spirit, the temptations will once
again become "normal" in power to that particular man.
It's Up To You
Therefore, if you are experiencing major, overpowering temptations, it's probably safe to assume that you may have
given into your flesh over and over again. The external temptations haven't gotten any more powerful than before-but
you have chosen to feed your lusts. Your lusts have become stronger; and therefore, they lust with more intensity
and force.
However, regardless to how strong they may feel to you, they are not uncommon to man. Others like you have faced
that same "beast" and conquered it through firm resolution and mutual accountability with others who
care deeply.
Morning Bible reading:
1 Corinthians 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. 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 way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
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.
