Bible Passage: “Stay awake and pray, so that you won’t enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41)
Scripture Reading: Matthew 26:36-46
I feel its power every day.
I’m ashamed to say it, but sometimes I enjoy it.
What is it?
Temptation.
Temptation is anything that tries to influence us—not just our actions but our minds and hearts as well—away from obedience to God.
It’s a powerful force that pulls us towards sin. Since temptation is a reality we will face for the rest of our lives, it’s important to understand how to overcome it.
Every man faces three main categories of temptation:[1]
- Appetites: Desires for possessions, money, experiences, food, alcohol, sex, etc.
- Ambition: The drive to achieve success on our own terms.
- Approval: The need to prove our worth and gain recognition from others.
While these temptations are universal, men often struggle particularly with issues of power, pride, and lust.
The key to overcoming these challenges lies in two crucial steps:
First, learning to recognize temptation when it appears, and second, developing effective strategies to resist it.
In the week ahead, we will conduct a thorough examination of temptation and its impact on our lives.
We’ll begin by uncovering the deceptive tactics and methods that temptation uses to influence our choices. We’ll examine why we must treat temptation with greater seriousness than we typically do. We’ll then learn how to balance caution and courage in dealing with temptation, and conclude by exploring two specific prayers that serve as powerful tools in our battle.
One day, we will be completely free from temptation, but only after our resurrection on the new earth. For now, temptation will affect us for the rest of our lives, so it’s crucial that we learn how to handle it.
Take comfort. The fact that you’re tempted shows you don’t yet live in a post-resurrection environment. But with God’s help, you can overcome temptation. In Jesus Christ, you can find both the strength to resist temptation and the grace you need when you fall into it.
Prayer: Lord, help me to be a man who knows how to understand and battle temptation. Amen.
Reflection: What temptations do you face in the categories of Appetites, Ambition, and Approval?
[1] Mancini, Will. Younique: Designing the Life that God Dreamed for You. Kindle Edition, p.76-77.
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