Why Temptations? by Shalene Kearney

Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. James 1:12-14 NKJV

Satan desires that we should fall away from the hope that God has given us. He does so with lies and half truths. He offers us that which we think we want, and when we accept it, and have sinned in the process, he drags us down with guilt and lies about our continued salvation. He does not want us to continue to glorify the Lord. Because in so doing, we may just reach another who needs to hear that we all fall short of His glory.

Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The Spirit is willing but the body is weak. Matthew 26:41 (emphasis mine)

Why do we believe the deceiver's lies?

Because he offers us what the "everyone else has." That is, what society tells us is acceptable and/or desirable. We listen because to resist is to deny ourselves. This is not easy to do. Many of us are taught from the moment we are able to think on our own that independence and self sufficiency are good things. I beg to differ.

God calls us to be utterly dependent upon him and to acknowledge that without Him we would have nothing. For He provides all. It all belongs to Him. We are only stewards of that which we have been given. Keeping this in mind, always, should make it easier to avoid temptation.

Who provides food for the raven, When its young ones cry to God, And wander about for lack of food? Job 38:41 NKJV

I think the Pope (I don't know which one, as my source did not list it, and I am not Catholic.) said it best, this way:

Concerning God, His Works, Providence:

"This term, in its widest application, signifies the Divine Presence in the world as sustaining, controlling, and guiding to their destination all things that are made. The will of God determines the end for which His creatures exist; His wisdom and His goodness appoint the means by which that end is attained: in the conservation of the frame of nature, in the care of all creatures that have wants, in the government especially of intelligent and probationary beings; and His power ensures the accomplishment of every design."--Pope

To summarize: We are tempted by the deceiver into thinking that the Lord will not provide for all our needs, because we intertwine our needs with our wants. God does not promise to provide all our wants. And in fact, does not because to do so would make us like spoiled children. God is not a "feel good" God. How many people would you want around you as your "friends" if they were only there because of what you could give them? And not because they truly wished to be with you and be a part of your life? God gives us what we need to become the person he created us to be. If that means that we do without materially, then that's what he gives us, or doesn't give us as the case may be. He also disciplines us, by allowing our choices to have consequences. If we choose to listen to the deceiver's lies, we will face consequences. God is merciful, though, and all that repent will be forgiven.

--Lord, I pray today that my words reach the eyes of someone that needs to hear this message. I ask that you continue to use me to reach those that are bogged down by the guilt of sin. Use me to encourage them to repentence and to avoid temptations. Relying only on Your divine providence. I pray that you also cleanse me of my sins today Lord, and that You forgive me for any and all attempts to give into temptations. I pray these things in Jesus' Holy Name, Amen.