Blessed Is Anyone Who Endures Temptation
"Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him." James 1:12 NRSV
Some temptation comes upon us unexpectedly. We have done everything in our power to avoid it, but as we go about our day, it shows up in unexpected places. The lust of the eyes, the draw towards consumerism, and our inner desire to be the captain of our own ship have a way of showing up in places we would least expect.
When faced with this kind of temptation, my first reaction is often anger at the person or thing that triggered the temptation. But anger only leads to bitterness which is a breeding ground for justifying myself when I give into unexpected temptation.
"No one is entirely safe from temptation no matter how long he lives, for we carry temptation's source within us. We have all been born with a fierce self-centered desire for success, status and pleasure that clashes with our longing for God... Many people try to escape temptations, then fall more severely into them! We cannot win by running away, but by patience and true humility we become stronger than our enemies." (1)
So if we are to live and engage with others in the real world, we must learn to identify and overcome temptation. With the help of the Holy Spirit and the accountability of faithful friends, we learn to endure temptation through prayer and memorization of scripture so that we might fight temptation when it unexpectedly comes knocking on our door.
Notes:
(1) Thomas A. Kempis, Imitation of Christ, pg. 42
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