Lead us not into Temptation......

Defn':

temptation

n 1: something that seduces or has the quality to seduce [syn: enticement] 2: the desire to have or do something that you know you should avoid; "he felt the temptation and his will power weakened" 3: the act of influencing by exciting hope or desire; "his enticements were shameless" [syn: enticement]

To us Christians, however, its definition is more along the following lines.

temptation

(1.) Trial; a being put to the test. Thus God "tempted [Gen. 22: 1; R.V., 'did
prove'] Abraham;" and afflictions are said to tempt, i.e., to try, men (James
1:2, 12; comp. Deut. 8:2), putting their faith and patience to the test.

(2.)
Ordinarily, however, the word means solicitation to that which is evil, and
hence Satan is called "the tempter" (Matt. 4:3). Our Lord was in this way
tempted in the wilderness. That temptation was not internal, but by a real,
active, subtle being. It was not self-sought.

Although temptation is usually identified as evil when it presents a less than honourable option, it also may present neutral or good options. Temptation in and of itself cannot force a decision. Too many times persons facing temptation give in and use the excuse "I was tempted. What else could I do?" Such persons are ascribing to the external nature of temptation but are then relinquishing control over the situation in a bid to divest themselves of blame for simply making a poor decision.

If all temptation does is show us a more enticing option, then it is playing on a known weakness on our part. The next step is up to us. Thus we have a sequence of events...
1. Merrily going our own way
2. 'Oh no! A conundrum! What ever will I do?'
3. Temptation - "well you could......"
4. 'Hmmmmmm. Sounds good to me.'

Number 5 can vary. It is not etched in stone. It may be easier, more gratifying, but it is not binding. By contemplating it we have not signed up for the full service plan. Of course temptation offers saccharine options, but remember that if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. When we give in to temptation we accept all liabilities from hence forth, taking responsibility for all words or deeds conditioned upon that decision. Our defence of denial in no way invalidates the binding conditions of the decision. Therefore the notion that "the devil made me do it" is feacal; odiferously and in consistency.

We also need to get comfortable with the fact that we can present the temptive circumstances to others; knowingly or nesciently. Provoking someone to wrath is one of the worst things you can do. One day you'll get your ass beat and although they must accept responsibility for their actions, it's a lot easier to swallow if you are not involved and if your teeth are still in their rightful sockets. ...... (yes I have noted this for myself and probably should get it tattoed on my eyelids). It's also in the word of God that we are held partially responsible if we enticed someone to occassion sin.

Bearing all of this in mind it should remind us of the importance of loving our fellow man. Jesus taught us to pray "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." It means that we want to avoid temptation because of our inherent weaknesses, but failing to avoid temptation, please stop us from making the wrong decision. What more can we ask than that?

What can we learn from that? That not even God will make life easy for us by leading us away from temptation in all instances. Afterall, there is nothing like a good predicament to see what kind of stuff we are made of. We are not faulted by GOD for wanting to give in (women get mad with men for wanting to sleep with Beyonce or Gabriel Union- I don't see the big deal). We are faulted when we actually give in. Dwelling on the temptation beyond its critical moment or planning to make the wrong decision should temptation arise, seals the deal and cements culpability.

So fight the good fight. Keep the faith. Pray for each other and say the "Our Father" everyday with meaning. Where we slip, avoid the denial crap and just admit and ask for forgiveness.




Periphery
Our God is an awesome God!