Temptation

“Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various temptations, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.” James 1:2-3. “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted with evil and he himself tempts no one; but each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin; and sin when it is full-grown brings forth death.” Verses 13-15.

These verses tell us that we have not sinned just because we are tempted. Rather, temptation tests our faith. Only after temptation has conceived does it give birth to sin; it takes my mind captive, and I begin to lust. But then I have not followed Jesus; I have not served in the newness of the Spirit. If I had, I would have put the lust to death by the Spirit, and instead of sin, the life of Jesus would have come forth from my body. The Spirit would then have been able to witness with my spirit that I was a child of God, and in the blood of Jesus I would have had boldness to enter the sanctuary.

We read further in James 1:12: “Blessed is the man who endures temptation, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love him.” As we can see, we have great opportunities in temptations. And we read that we are blessed if we endure, for then we receive a tested faith, which is precious indeed! 1 Peter 1:6-7.

“Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need [at the right time].” Hebrews 4:14-16.

Just when is “the right time”? The “right time” is when I am tempted. That is when I can receive grace to serve in the newness of the Spirit so that the cause of my temptations—my own lusts—can be put to death, and the life of Jesus can be manifested by my body. Being tempted is the same thing as being led to my enemies, just as the Israelites were led to their enemies when they set out to conquer the Promised Land. “Blessed are those whose strength is in thee, whose heart is stayed on level paths. When they go through the valley of tears, they make it a place of springs; and the early rain covers it with blessing. They win one victory after another, so one can see that God is in Zion.” Psalm 84:5-7. (Verse 7 from the German)

Jesus was well acquainted with our weaknesses. But the question is this: Are we acquainted with our own weaknesses? Hebrews 5:7-10 proves that He was acquainted with our weaknesses.

We read that He was saved from death, yet He died for our sins. We were redeemed by the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without spot or blemish. 1 Peter 1:19. What was this death from which He was saved? “For if you live according to the flesh you will die . . . .” Romans 8:13. Jesus had this flesh; He was acquainted with our weaknesses, and He knew how easily we are tempted. Therefore He fought this great battle, and He was saved from that death which is a consequence of living according to the flesh. He remained without sin despite the fact that He was tempted in every respect as we are.

That is why the apostle could write, “and we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers, this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus.” Acts 13:32-33. “But he whom God raised up saw no corruption. Let it be known to you therefore, brethren, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him every one that believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.” Verses 37-39.

What they could not be freed from by the law of Moses was this: “You shall not covet.” It was sin in the flesh that God condemned in the flesh of Jesus. It was there that all lust was put to death. That took time. What Jesus consecrated for us was a “way,” and on this way He became our forerunner. This is the hope to which we have fled for refuge, which hope we have as “a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that extends beyond the veil, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner for us; having become a high priest for ever according to the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 6:18-20.