Temptations

Every so often Fathers Ignatius and Donald held “Any Questions” evenings when parishioners would gather at the Parish Centre for tea, coffee and biscuits and ask any questions for the priests to answer. On this occasion Father Donald was away on business and his place at the top table was taken by Theodore Luxton-Joyce, the rich benefactor and friend of the two priests, since one item for discussion was the re-development and extension of the Parish Centre which Theodore’s building business was to undertake.

Once the discussion about the new building was over, the discussion moved on to other topics. One of the parishioners at the meeting asked if God tempts us to see how we would react in certain situations. Before Father Ignatius answered, Theodore jumped in with his usual “speak first think later” responses.

“I can resist anything except temptations, what?” he quipped as the audience laughed, “for example, I just like those little pork pies they make at the Bakery Smith in town … the little one which are one mouthful size. So I ask God if I should buy some when I’m driving to town. I say to Him that if there’s a parking space in front of the shop, then it’s a sign to stop there and buy some … if not I’ll move along. And sure enough after driving ten times round the block there’s always a parking space!”

The parishioners laughed even more. Father Ignatius waited until they settled down and then said, calmly and politely so as not to upstage his friend Theodore, “God does not play games with us. He will not tempt us to see how we would react in certain situations, as Graham just asked. God already knows how we will react in all situations. He allows temptations to come our way, perhaps to teach us how to improve in our Christian life and to make us better followers of His Word.

“God allows the devil to tempt us, but within strict limitations. Remember that the devil tempted and tested Job. He also tried to tempt Jesus in the desert, so we should not be much of a challenge to him.

“Jesus taught us in the Lord’s Prayer to say ‘lead us not into temptation’. This mean we ask God to keep the devil away from us and not tempt us to sin. So, I would say to you, Graham, no … God does not tempt us to test us. He allows the devil to tempt us and often, through prayers, this makes us better people as we resist temptations!”

“But how do we do that?” asked Freda, sitting up front, “how do we resist temptations? Prayers are not always the answer, especially at times when the temptation is too much to resist!”

There were a few subdued chuckles amongst the people gathered there, so Father Ignatius stepped in quickly and diplomatically, “A very good point, Freda” he said with an encouraging smile, “I’d like to read something from Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians. Let me find it here …”

He searched in his Bible and continued, “At the time, Corinth was a thriving Greek city and the Capital of the Roman province of Achaia. Paul had established a church there; but there were problems regarding Christian life, faith, immorality and various other sinful behaviours.

“In 1 Corinthians Chapter 10 Paul reminds the people about all the sinful behaviours of their ancestors in the wilderness. He mentions worshipping idols, sexual immorality, grumbling about their situations and so on … then in Verse 13 he says, and I quote … ‘The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you can endure.’

“I repeat … God is faithful. He will not allow us to be tempted beyond our capability to resist the temptation in question. He will show us a way out on how to avoid the temptation.

“But we must take the way out. We don’t just sit there and hope all will be OK. We must take the way out. If our temptation is immorality for instance then we should stop frequenting places or people who lead us into those temptations. If it is a weakness for drinks then we should stop frequenting pubs and liquor stores … you understand where I’m going with this. God will provide a way out, but we must take it. Action is needed on our part.”

He stopped for a few seconds to allow the point to sink in. And then he continued, “The way I see it, God is not in the business of losing His followers. He loves us all as His creations. His desire is that we return to Him for eternity in Paradise. But we should want to go there. We should respond to His invitation and do something about it.

“Sure, temptations will come our way, but they do so to make us stronger. To teach us to resist and to focus on Him through prayers.

“Jesus resisted the devil’s temptations in the desert through prayer.  When He was tempted yet again before He was arrested, He asked His Father … Can all this pass me by? Then, in prayer, He obeyed God and said; Not my will, but Yours.

 “Likewise, our prayer should be, ‘lead us not into temptations … not my will but Yours Lord.”