I was intrigued by one of the Bible readings that we had this past Sunday during worship. We were reading from Matthew chapter 18, and one of Jesus' points in there stuck with me as I read it, and has continued to present itself in my mind. The sentence in particular is from verse 7. In that verse, Jesus says "For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom temptation comes!"
That little phrase, "it is necessary", has just stuck in my mind. I have to admit that I have wondered about the necessity for temptation. It seems to me that this goes all the way back to the creation of the world and the temptation of Adam and Eve in the garden. One thing that I have been asked a number of times is something along the lines of, "Why did God allow the serpent to tempt them?" And Jesus' statement above seems to provide the answer.
"It is necessary that temptations come." I've thought quite a bit about the need for temptations, and what purpose they could possibly serve. So far, here is what I have come up with.
Temptations are necessary in that they reveal who/what our true love is, and to what we are truly dedicated. Think of it like this, using Adam and Eve as an example. If they did not have the temptation of the tree which God had said not to eat from, they would not have had a means of demonstrating their love and dedication to God. There would not have been any alternative. Or think of it when it comes to a loved one in your life. If they were the only person in the world, would you have any choice but to love them and be with them? But, having the temptation of others in the world gives an opportunity to demonstrate true love to that one.
This is why Jesus' next statement there is so powerful. "But woe to the one by whom the temptation comes." Temptation seems to be necessary to reveal true love and dedication, but the one who tempts another away from that love and dedication is working contrary to God's will and command. In other words, that person is bringing God's judgment upon him/herself.
When we remember that temptation also serves to reveal our true love and dedication, either toward God or toward those we love in life, it gives us a powerful reason to battle against the temptation. Doing so reveals our love and dedication, and serves to strengthen that love and dedication. So the next time you find yourself facing a temptation of some kind, remember that you also have the opportunity to reveal your love for God and/or another in the face of the battle.
That little phrase, "it is necessary", has just stuck in my mind. I have to admit that I have wondered about the necessity for temptation. It seems to me that this goes all the way back to the creation of the world and the temptation of Adam and Eve in the garden. One thing that I have been asked a number of times is something along the lines of, "Why did God allow the serpent to tempt them?" And Jesus' statement above seems to provide the answer.
"It is necessary that temptations come." I've thought quite a bit about the need for temptations, and what purpose they could possibly serve. So far, here is what I have come up with.
Temptations are necessary in that they reveal who/what our true love is, and to what we are truly dedicated. Think of it like this, using Adam and Eve as an example. If they did not have the temptation of the tree which God had said not to eat from, they would not have had a means of demonstrating their love and dedication to God. There would not have been any alternative. Or think of it when it comes to a loved one in your life. If they were the only person in the world, would you have any choice but to love them and be with them? But, having the temptation of others in the world gives an opportunity to demonstrate true love to that one.
This is why Jesus' next statement there is so powerful. "But woe to the one by whom the temptation comes." Temptation seems to be necessary to reveal true love and dedication, but the one who tempts another away from that love and dedication is working contrary to God's will and command. In other words, that person is bringing God's judgment upon him/herself.
When we remember that temptation also serves to reveal our true love and dedication, either toward God or toward those we love in life, it gives us a powerful reason to battle against the temptation. Doing so reveals our love and dedication, and serves to strengthen that love and dedication. So the next time you find yourself facing a temptation of some kind, remember that you also have the opportunity to reveal your love for God and/or another in the face of the battle.
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