Do you think we face greater temptations today than previous generations did?
Interesting question. The truth is, as David points out, at the very least we have more discretionary time on our hand, increased opportunities, and less physical barriers to temptation than ever before. These three factors add up to the likelihood that we face greater temptations (though not different in kind) than previous generations.
If that is true, we need greater self-control. So David points to a NYT article that offers a few somewhat helpful tips for increasing self-control but then he gives biblical counsel for greater self-control in an age of temptation.
1. Christ’s love. Just as Christ’s love for us constrains and compels evangelism (2 Cor. 5:14), so it also constrains and compels obedience (1 Jn. 4:19).
2. Christ’s Word. Just as Christ Himself resisted temptation with Scripture (Luke 4:1-14), so we do too (Eph. 6:17).
3. Christ’s example. Consideration of Christ’s holy life inspires and empowers perseverance in holiness (Heb. 12:3)
4. Christ’s Spirit. Christ is with and in His people by His Spirit (Gal. 5:16-18). He does not send us into battle, He comes with us.
5. Christ’s sympathy. As He was tempted on all points, like as we are, we can go to one who sympathizes with us as we face strong temptation in our human weakness (Heb. 4:15).
6. Christ’s grace. When we come to Christ, we not only get sympathy, we get strong grace to help in our time of need (Heb. 4:16).
7. Christ’s forgiveness. We are going to fail and fall. But there’s no need to wallow in strength-draining guilt. We can come to Christ for immediate forgiveness (Jn. 8:11; 1 John 1:9). We start again with a re-formatted hard-drive (“clean sheet” for the older generation).
“Yes temptation is greater today. But Christ is greater still.”
Read the whole article.
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