Facing Temptations with Thomas
I was recently reading something by Thomas a Kempis (Excerpts from "Imitation of Christ"). As Troy was speaking about temptation on Sunday, his words kept coming to mind. I hope you find wisdom and life in them as I have.
"The beginning of all evil temptations is an unstable mind and a small trust in God. Just as a ship without a helm is tossed about by the waves, as a person who lacks resolution and certainty is tossed about by temptations. Temptation reveals our instability and our lack of trust in God; temptations reveal who we are. This is why we must pay attention to them."
- The reason I latch so tightly onto these words is because I've seen their truth play out often in my own experience. Temptation is not merely an issue of wanting something that we feel as though we ought to have. The issue is, at it's core one of unbelief. I give into temptation because I don't truly believe that God is really working on my behalf and that he will provide the things I need to grow and love and live. I seek stability and control and intimacy and things that I think I need to be complete and in turn make my temptations the provider of these things, revealing how little I really trust God. In reality however, every good and perfect gift comes from God, and saying no to temptation is as much about saying yes to the positive, life-giving love of God as it is about rejecting the negative, soul-wounding grip of sin.
"We will do better in dealing with temptations if we keep an eye on them in the very beginning... The process works like this: First, the thought is allowed to enter into our minds. Second, the imagination is sparked by the thought. Third, we feel a sense of pleasure at the fantasy, and we entertain it. Fourth and finally, we engage in the evil action, assenting to its urges. This is how, little by little, temptations gain entrance and overcome us if they are not resisted in the beginning. The longer we let them overcome us, the weaker we become, and the stronger the enemy is against us."
- When you are tempted, admit that you tempted. Even if it is simply an admission to yourself, do not try to pretend that what you are going through is non-issue; a non-event. This is a trick that the devil loves to pull, but every act of illumination weakens his power in temptation. If the issue stays shadowy and convoluted, you may remain convinced that the road you are allowing yourself to walk is harmlessly acceptable. That is until you've been dragged away by sin to some place you don't want to be. Bring you struggles into the light. Name your temptations for what they are and simply, quietly, expectantly pray to God for His strength.
"Finally, I want to show you the way of peace and true liberty. There are four things you must do. First, strive to do another's will rather than your own. Second, choose always to have less than more. Third, seek the lower places in life, dying to the need to be recognized and important. Fourth, always and in everything desire that the will of God may be completely fulfilled in you. The person who tries this will be treading the frontiers of peace and trust."
- There is also power in standing together. Share the story God has given you of how you've faced temptation (it might even be a negative example) with another person this week. What helps? What is harmful? Where have you found "true liberty?"
"The beginning of all evil temptations is an unstable mind and a small trust in God. Just as a ship without a helm is tossed about by the waves, as a person who lacks resolution and certainty is tossed about by temptations. Temptation reveals our instability and our lack of trust in God; temptations reveal who we are. This is why we must pay attention to them."
- The reason I latch so tightly onto these words is because I've seen their truth play out often in my own experience. Temptation is not merely an issue of wanting something that we feel as though we ought to have. The issue is, at it's core one of unbelief. I give into temptation because I don't truly believe that God is really working on my behalf and that he will provide the things I need to grow and love and live. I seek stability and control and intimacy and things that I think I need to be complete and in turn make my temptations the provider of these things, revealing how little I really trust God. In reality however, every good and perfect gift comes from God, and saying no to temptation is as much about saying yes to the positive, life-giving love of God as it is about rejecting the negative, soul-wounding grip of sin.
"We will do better in dealing with temptations if we keep an eye on them in the very beginning... The process works like this: First, the thought is allowed to enter into our minds. Second, the imagination is sparked by the thought. Third, we feel a sense of pleasure at the fantasy, and we entertain it. Fourth and finally, we engage in the evil action, assenting to its urges. This is how, little by little, temptations gain entrance and overcome us if they are not resisted in the beginning. The longer we let them overcome us, the weaker we become, and the stronger the enemy is against us."
- When you are tempted, admit that you tempted. Even if it is simply an admission to yourself, do not try to pretend that what you are going through is non-issue; a non-event. This is a trick that the devil loves to pull, but every act of illumination weakens his power in temptation. If the issue stays shadowy and convoluted, you may remain convinced that the road you are allowing yourself to walk is harmlessly acceptable. That is until you've been dragged away by sin to some place you don't want to be. Bring you struggles into the light. Name your temptations for what they are and simply, quietly, expectantly pray to God for His strength.
"Finally, I want to show you the way of peace and true liberty. There are four things you must do. First, strive to do another's will rather than your own. Second, choose always to have less than more. Third, seek the lower places in life, dying to the need to be recognized and important. Fourth, always and in everything desire that the will of God may be completely fulfilled in you. The person who tries this will be treading the frontiers of peace and trust."
- There is also power in standing together. Share the story God has given you of how you've faced temptation (it might even be a negative example) with another person this week. What helps? What is harmful? Where have you found "true liberty?"
posted by Journey Church at 12:23 a.m.
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