Spiritual Warfare: The Nature of Temptation

For the past two weeks, I have been discussing the nature of temptation during our teaching evening service at First Seattle (www.seattlecrc.org).  How does temptation work?  How do we recognize it and defeat it?

I think the parallel temptation narratives of Genesis 3 and the beginning of Matthew 4 shed some light on these questions.  In these narratives, we see Adam and Eve giving into temptation and Jesus defeating temptation.

The following is a post from two Decembers ago concerning temptation.  I have gone into much more detail in my sermons, but this post should begin the discussion concerning the nature of temptation.

"Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden?'" 

Gen. 3:1

"The tempter came to him and said, 'If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.'" 

Matt. 4:3

As I write today, I do so with a heavy heart.  My wife and I were traveling this weekend, and we had a chance to proclaim the gospel.  On Sunday afternoon, I received an e-mail that a prominent pastor/religious leader in my area had died.  I had worked with this man in a variety of setting for the past seven years, so I thought I would need to attend the funeral when I get back.  When I returned, I found out that he had died by suicide by jumping off a bridge; and as of last Thursday, we was under investigation for child sexual abuse.  The reports state that he began a sexual affair with a young man in the 1970s and it continued to today.

As you can see, this is a bit to process!  I have already had two or three discussions with folks in the community who ask my take on this sordid affair.  Overall the question keeps coming up, "How could this happen?"  

In today's blog, I wish to give a short answer to this question.  Each case of full-blown sin is different, but they all spring from a similar source.  To help us understand this source, we will look at the fall of humanity in Genesis 3 and Jesus' temptation in Matt. 4.

In both of these passages, Satan's first move is to call into question the character of God.  

"Did God really say...." "If you are the Son of God...."  

Both of these statements point to a flaw in God's character that Satan believes everyone should see.  Of course there is no flaw in God's character!  Nevertheless, Eve takes the bait and she begins the process of the fall.  Meanwhile, Jesus knew that He is the Son of God, so he does not have to prove anything.  He completely sidesteps the temptation by quoting and living the truth, "Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." (Matt. 4:4)

Why did Eve fall?  What was her underlying sin?  I think ultimately the crack in her armor was that of lacking faith and trust in God.  

In discussing the consequences of the fall, John Calvin observes that many vestiges of the Image of God remain in us.  Thus, the fall does not mean that we are as evil as possible, because we still have the ability to express love.  Love remains a vestige of our created good.  Yet, he claims, and I agree with him, that the attribute of faith was completely lost in the fall.  

Eve lacks faith in God's character and the fall begins.  She begins to reason to herself and explain away what God has said.  Eventually, she does exactly the opposite of God's will and expressed command.  On the other hand, Jesus maintains His trust in God's character, and He resists the temptation to handle his hunger on his own.  He lives in faith and trust in God to provide.

Satan's primary temptation is to get us to trust ourselves and our strength instead of relying upon God.  When faced with a decision, if we do not look to God for answers through His word and wise counsel, we are falling right into Satan's primary temptation.

I believe one reason we do not see much outright demonization in America is that Satan's primary temptation matches perfectly with our vision of the World and the Flesh.  In other words, in the West Satan does not have to tempt or drive to fear from direct attack because believers and unbelievers are marked by self-effort, self-righteousness, and a lack of real day to day faith in the Living God.  

Everything about our culture tells us to "trust our hearts" and to "follow our own path."  The World works in perfect tandem with the temptations of Satan.  Our biggest problem is that this temptation also works perfectly with our fallen fleshly nature that loves this message!  We would like nothing more than to be the captain of our own ship and the master of our own soul.  On Satan's side, why risk exposure by being out in the open when the World and Flesh are already keeping believers and unbelievers unfruitful and lacking God's power that comes by faith?

So, how does this shed light on this week's events in Maine?  Our greatest strengths can be used mightily to build the kingdom of God.  They can also be used mightily to keep us away from trusting God.  Who needs God when I can do it on my own?  We must be aware that our fallen human nature will always move us to trust in ourself, our efforts, and our flesh.  

According to many, this pastor had a great ability to care for others.  I must admit that I never thought of him in this way!  Still, a care-giver must protect themselves from using their strengths in an inappropriate manner.  One does not begin the descent of sin with sexual contact and abuse.  It takes time to develop.  Like a cancer, sin turns us away from trusting in the Living God, and instead it always demands that we take matters into our own hands.  Instead of finding joy and strength in God, we find it in any variety of sin tendencies.  As we nurture of sin, it grows in severity and perversion.

It looks like this man took time to develop his sin tendencies!  The act of suicide was a final action expressing these tendencies to trust self.  I sure hope I am wrong on this, but I am afraid I am right.

The direct opposite of self-effort and self-righteousness is faith and trust in God for our life, joy and righteousness.  Similar to the descend of sin, faith and trust is something that must be nurtured and built.  It is given by divine grace, but it does not come naturally to our fallen nature.  We must cultivate it!

The ascent of grace grows as we walk in repentance and faith.  As we confess our tendencies to trust in self, others, and created things for our life, joy and righteousness, we find release from bondage.  As we trust in Jesus for life, joy, and righteousness we experience authentic joy and life-transforming power. 

How about some practical steps to make the transition from the descent of sin into the ascent of grace?  

First, start by how you organize your day.  Take time to listen to God's Word and to meet with Him in prayer.  Ask Him for wisdom with the decisions you need to make.  At work and home begin to involve God in decisions that you usually just make out of habit or your strengths.  

Second, begin the process of walking by faith.  Be particularly vigilant when you feel fear.  Fear prompts us to make choices without faith.  We do not consult God or His Word.  We just react.  How can we have faith and fear at the same time?  (1 John 4:18)  Be aware that in our very spiritual world, Satan and his forces are lurking tempting us to work in our own strength without reference to God.  If you have lived in this manner, repent and believe the gospel!  

In the face of such sordid actions both locally and nationally, may we all be drawn to a deeper  faith and trust in the only True God!