This is the second of two posts on resisting temptation; the first one can be found here. All temptations stem from our unstable passions and from lack of trust in God. When we do not stick to our convictions we are like a ship without a rudder tossed around by a storm. Instead, temptations should refine us like a fire refines gold.
Temptations should be resisted as soon as they knock on our door. We must not let them into the home of our heart, but rather go outside door and prevent them from entering at all. Once they enter they start to grow. A poet has said:
In the beginning
You might have won
It’s past your skill now
No more can be done
Temptation progresses from a suggestion and moves into our imagination. Then we have thoughts of its pleasure and then it captures our desire. Finally, we give in. The longer we delay resistance, the stronger the enemy becomes.
Powerful temptations can come at any point in our growth. Therefore, we shouldn’t be discouraged when we are tempted but rather humbly cry out to God for help. He promises to help us: “with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it,” I Cor. 10:13. (ESV) And we should never be prideful when we successfully endure great temptation because it is easy for a small one to trip us up later. Therefore, we should never depend on our own strength.
Temptations prove how Christlike we are and lead to greater rewards. It is no great accomplishment to be devout if we never have trials. The one who endures temptations is the one who has made progress.
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Today’s post is an interpretation of a chapter of the most popular devotional book in the history of Christianity, The Imitation of Christ. It is a profound explanation of spiritual formation. It was written by a monk (or possibly several monks) in the 15th century named Thomas a Kempis. You can view all the posts in this series by selecting “Imitation of Christ” in the categories listing.
