Day 26 of the 40 Days of Purpose

“Growing through Temptation”

I guess I could have written yesterday’s blog for today, for it seems I moved more into the trial of temptation, today’s chapter, than the other forms of trial mentioned in the chapter yesterday. Reading this chapter brought to mind Augustine’s Confessions. Augustine deals with two definitions of the word “confessions” throughout the book, both are equally developed as Augustine tells of his faith journey. One meaning of the word is an acknowledgement of sins. This Augustine develops with such depth it is almost shocking and clearly an illustration of the sinful nature and man’s sinful desire giving birth to sin.

(James 1:14-15 NIV) but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. {15} Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

But he also uses the word “confessions” for the acknowledgement of God’s love, mercy and grace; and while his exploration into his own sinfulness is a great in-depth psychological profile of man’s nature, his confession of his faith and thanksgiving over God’s grace is a great exploration of the nature of God.

The Holy Spirit helps us to better understand ourselves and how to not be controlled by our sinful nature, and also how to better understand the nature of God.

(Rom 8:3-10 NIV) For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, {4} in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. {5} Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. {6} The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; {7} the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. {8} Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. {9} You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. {10} But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness.

(Eph 1:17 NIV) I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

Our ability to both better understand ourselves and better understand God are keys to becoming better able to resist temptation.