Hello all, today I am writing a blog on a subject that has been in discussion with me a few times in the past few months., I always take heed to reflect on topics that interest my ever curious mind and like to look at perspective and often with a further question! It's a never ending debate and discussion for growth. My narrative is mine, and mine alone it is not meant to manipulate, offend or imply that it's anything more than a questioning mind, MY MIND! My discussion is on temptation and tests in todays world.
Temptation can manifest both consciously and subconsciously. Consciously, we may recognise desires that tempt us, leading to choices that could have positive or negative outcomes. Subconsciously, deeper fears or desires influence our temptations, often driving behavior based on emotions like love or fear. Harnessing this understanding, we can stimulate our subconscious mind towards positive habits and thoughts, allowing us to reshape our temptations into constructive motivations.
“Better is that temptation which humbles me, than that duty which makes me proud.” The phrase suggests that facing temptations that lead to humility can be more beneficial than those that result in pride. Humility can foster personal growth, awareness of one’s limitations, and connection with others, while pride may obscure these values and lead to arrogance or isolation. In essence, challenges that humble us can encourage reflection and improvement, whereas those that inflate our ego might hinder our development.
Temptation itself is not inherently positive or negative; it is a natural part of life that can be viewed as a test of will or possibly moral character. Engaging with temptation can lead to personal growth, as it requires individuals to make choices and exercise self-control. The way one responds to temptation can shape our character and values, potentially leading to positive outcomes such as strengthened resolve and increased resilience so long as it is serving us well and we feel it is worthy for us personally.
And then there are things that are actually initiated, some hard things come to us and other things from the enemy of our soul. Depending on their source, they are designed to either build us up or tear us down. How can we tell the difference? When we’re in the midst of a difficult season, it can be unnerving. We’re prone to “think” with our emotions (which don’t actually think), rather than our spirit or mind. It is too easy to react rather than respond. Wouldn’t it be worth it to learn a little about the difference between a test and a temptation so that next time a bump surfaces in the road, you’re better able to diagnose and negotiate it?
Here are a few differences I can think of: Temptation and tests are probably not in the habit of setting us up to fail. Yet it is assumed that tests refine faith and temptations destroy faith. Will these temptations or tests be placed in your life or mine meant to tear our faith down. The enemy, on the other hand, will never do anything to build our faith up.. The enemy of our soul doesn’t care what we believe in. Tests are supposed to reveal graces and temptations reveal sinfulness. So biblically it is said we will not be in a position to let us be tempted beyond our ability, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. ” In other words, possibly we will always be provided the grace to walk through a test. Maybe an opportunity to see us succeed. The converse only provides dead-ends and wants to see us fail in this perspective. This depends on your personal belief system for sure.
It is said that tests set us up to succeed and temptations set us up to fail. If you’ve ever dealt with an addiction and tried to recover, this may be a good example and you may get this. Is every temptation an opportunity to relapse? Can we say a test is more, an opportunity to move forward. Tests release creativity. They inspire us to something more than we thought we could be. Temptations are said to release frustration and when we give in, surely, they make us feel like failures only if they are negative and not serving us. Tests are supposed to prove strength. Do we always succeed in passing these tests? Temptations are deemed to prove weakness.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Could this imply that it is to say that, it is when one is weak that he is actually strongest. When we rely on our inner strength to pull us through, we’re strengthened by this strength.
A test could often prove whether or not we can withstand the weight of the challenge presented. This is the reason for the test that we can see if we’re ready to move on to greater effectiveness and wholesomeness.
So how do we master both tests and temptations? The answer is faith. Which seems way too simplistic, but that could be the key. Mature faith is our inheritance and birthright as children in our creation. It can lead us to better comfort and responses in order to find the quest of our own convictions and the answers to questions.
Here’s the thing: This thing (whether it's racial, political, denominational or spiritual… whatever) isn’t only valuable because of where it came from within. Are our thoughts the creator and destroyer of our destiny and fate or do we in fact have control? I ponder... I do! Namaste
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