The Appeal of Temptation

Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.’” The serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die! For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings.  Genesis 3:1-7

If you admit to being tempted you are on your way to dealing with it successfully and overcoming its persuasive power. Where does temptation come from? Its forms vary, but its source is constant: Satan.

The first reference to Satan in the Bible reveals one of his characteristics - craftiness. He craftily approached the first woman, Eve, in an unsuspecting manner in an attempt to cause her to go against the one standard which God had declared to her.

He still uses that same technique today, and men and women still succumb to his temptation. Look at the pattern in your own life. See how Satan appeals to you. He twists the truth and changes it into a deadly lie.

One of Satan’s most effective tempting tools is to question God’s Word or God’s authority. “If God is loving, would He withhold something from you that could make you happy?” How we need to have discerning ears to hear, eyes to see, and hearts to weigh the persuasive and beguiling lies of the enemy.

Read John’s admonition in 1 John 2:15-16. Then ask God to heighten your awareness of temptation’s appeal.

Are you ever tempted to sin? Which temptation has the strongest appeal?