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Temptation can lead to real problems. In this episode of the Things Above podcast, James Bryan Smith discusses the nature of temptation, then offers and unpacks six facts about temptation that can help you overcome it.
1. Everybody is tempted.
2. God is not the one tempting us.
3. Temptation itself is not sin.
4. Being tempted does not mean you are a bad person.
5. Temptation does not come from outside of us, but from our own desires.
6. There is always a way out of temptation.
You can experiment with a soul-training exercise to help overcome temptation. It’s called “Play the Tape.” When you play the tape, what you’re doing is remembering your experience with giving in to temptation and how you felt afterward. You recall how it led to nothing good. You also recall your feelings of regret. When you play the tape, you also have the opportunity to remember your experience with NOT giving in to temptation. You felt good, didn’t you? You felt strong. That’s because you were walking in the light, as John said. And it felt right because you are a child of the light.
C.S. Lewis put it like this: “A man who gives into temptation after five minutes simply does not know what it would have been like an hour later.” Lewis is alluding to playing the tape. In those early moments of temptation, the sin may look enticing. But if you play the tape, you remember what happens in ten minutes, or an hour later, you can see it for what it is. And awareness is our best weapon in dealing with temptation.
Key verses include Romans 7:15, 1 Corinthians 10:13, James 1:12-14, Ephesians 4:26
Related episodes:
1. Forgiveness: The Way to Freedom
2. Epiphanies From a Guitar Part 1
3. Epiphanies From a Guitar Part 2
4. Christ is All Around Us
5. Desiring God
Thank you so much for your podcast!
I have a question about point #5 above. In addition to the temptation that comes from our own sinful desires, would you also say that Satan is the accuser who leads us into temptation? We read of him being a roaring lion (1 Peter 5:8) and are told to be on guard against the cosmic powers and spiritual forces of evil (Eph 6:12). John even talks about the world hating Christians, as it hated Christ (John 15:18-21). You did mention that temptations also come from outside of us, but I’m wondering if point #5 could be expanded to include our very real and deceptive enemy? I’d love to know your thoughts.
Also, do you have more verses or resources that talk about temptation not being a sin in #3?
Thanks again. 🙂