Here is the odd thing about temptation.  It sneaks up on you.  I know this seems simple, but when you stop and think about it, it really is quite fascinating (and a bit horrifying).  Never would any Christian say to themselves, “I want this thing more than I want Jesus,” or, “This thing is worth more than Christ.”  And yet that is exactly what giving into temptation is saying.  It is affirming that we do not trust the promises of God.  That we do not trust Him to satisfy us.  That what He says we need is not actually right.  And again, this isn’t something we would outright say, or agree with.  But our actions betray the truth of our hearts.  This, in itself would be devastating. 

But there is something about the Christian that is different.  A true remorse for these sins.  A true understanding that they would never outright agree to these things (where a pagan would probably just say “screw god” and go on their way).  There is an acknowledgement that we do not even want to do the things we do.  Romans 7 is so encouraging here.  We are wretched men.  But thanks be to God that through Christ we can be rescued!

Temptation is tricky, because, as a cartoon once taught said, “You will never be able to tempt me! ….. Oh, I forgot you can tempt me with things I want.”  And that is how it seems to go.  And the big problem isn’t that we want the wrong things.  We want to be loved, we desire relationships, this is how we are designed.  But instead of patience and covenant we settle for casual sex and momentary pleasure.  We long for peace, for escape from this world of sin.  But instead of seeking holiness and waiting for God to call us home we take drugs and drink to forget and escape.  Every temptation and sin seems to be a twisting of something intended for good, for things we were meant to want.  Even wanting to please God can result in sinful legalism and judgement.

So what do we do?  All we can do is seek God in the Word and prayer, immerse ourselves in worship and in community.  I know these are the basics, but if there is one thing I have learned as a Christian for the past several years, it is that while you may learn a lot about God, you will never learn anything that is more important than repentance and the truth of the gospel.