The Anatomy of Temptation
“Our Father, who art in heaven . . . lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” (Matthew 6: 13).
Why pray this when we know that our Father in heaven would never lead his children into temptation? This petition in the Lord’s prayer is what scholars refer to as a “litotes”, a literary device called a negative hyperbole – meaning the opposite of what is stated. A litotes is a double negative which translates to a positive. “She’s not a bad teacher” is another way of saying, “She’s a good teacher.” When we ask the Father not to lead us into temptation, we are asking Him to lead us into righteousness, which is the opposite of temptation.
The way leaders respond to temptation will either make or break them. Christian leaders, those in ministry who have been given the precious gift of trust by their followers, demonstrate or negate trust based upon how they handle temptation which inevitability will knock on their door. As in our school days, temptation is a test. But in contradistinction to our school days, all tests are unscheduled. They therefore have the tendency to catch us unaware.
Suppose we were to dissect temptation like med students do when they cut open a cadaver. What would we find beneath the surface? We would discover at least six elementary characteristics that best describe the nature of temptation.
In the moment
We would accurately see temptation as “time-tation” for there is neither past nor future tense, simply the present tense. Temptation has tunnel-vision. The vows and promises of the past, the hope of future blessing nourished by delayed gratification, disappear completely. All that matters is now. You only go around once in life – grab for all the gusto you can, and grab it now!
Buy local
Temptation’s fare is local. David saw Bathsheba not far from the roof top on which he was walking. The laptop in front of us, the slot machines at the gas station, the brawn bodies laying out on the beach – all within view and within walking distance. Temptation’s appeal is that it’s convenient, all within reach. It’s local.
High octane fuel
If temptation were an automobile, then its fuel would be feelings. “It can’t be wrong if it feels so right” is one of its core doctrinal statements. Barbara Mandrell told us so. Forget about cool reasoning or principles on a higher plane; what counts is what our hearts are telling us is the right thing to pursue and do. But following our hearts is a frilly way of saying, “Let’s just let our feelings inform us as to what to do.”
Commodity trading
When temptation is person-to-person, the object of desire gets depersonalized. This is especially true where lust is in play. Lust sees the other as an object, as a commodity, as something to secure for personal benefit. Don’t call it love. It is eros-love; wanting the other person for purely personal gain.
Can’t pass this up
Temptation is the advertising agency of sin. It will always promise us the moon. Therefore, the power of temptation lies in its enticing beauty: “Who wouldn’t want that?” What temptation advertises is low-cost, high-enjoyment experience.
Shh! - Secrecy
Temptation comes out at night. That is to say it is most lively when visibility is poor. Shy among the throngs, temptation is a lion when we are alone. Clandestine in its moving, temptation is virile when secrecy is operative. Temptation never approaches us during daylight, when we can be seen. It is that vice that surges only when the sun goes down and the chances of getting caught are reduced minimally.
Conclusion
The most important part of a sailing vessel lies beneath the surface of the water. The same goes for a person who has a proper estimation of himself and of God, for a humble person.
Much of our lives are lived above the surface of the waterline. Above the surface is where we find our activities – working, recreating, friendshipping, scheduling, producing, and fretting. Shallowness of life is directly related to living exclusively above the waterline. If we want depth, we need to get below the surface to open ourselves up to the inner exploration of the labyrinth inside us, which is the soul; our true self. This will inevitably lead to exploring the anatomy of temptation in our lives.
Call to action
Sit down and make a list of what has tempted you in the past week. How did you respond to the testing? If you are truly self-effacing, go to a trusted friend and share with them what has tempted you and how you have responded.
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