Temptation and Sin Are All Too Real

Among many believers today is the attitude of “holier than thou” which is not of Christ as We the People are no different than any other person. Sadly, many people outside the faith hold the perception that if someone believes in Christ and tries to live a Christian life, they see themselves as being holier than others which is unfair as the only thing that separates us from the world is Christ Himself. Christ has saved us willfully and everything that He has done for us is worthy to be praised but we are warned about being prideful or taking pride in oneself.

This is something that turns me off of sports and many athletes as so many are arrogant and so full of pride in themselves and their abilities. Trust me, I get it as these guys are some of the best in the world at what they do but as Christians, we are to be grateful for all that Christ has given to us rather than boasting about what all we’ve been given. The reason that Christ is so adamant about Christians stay away from such behaviors; and sin in general, is that sin causes us to go much further than we ever wanted to.

One situation that I am familiar with is women and most men enjoy the sight of an attractive woman and at first glance, you may not think that there is anything wrong with looking at this woman. After all, she’s God’s creation, she’s beautiful, and God gave us the eyes so what’s the problem? The first glance may not be the problem but it’s what comes from that glance or, what comes after that glance. This situation reminds me of a famous saying from Mahatma Gandhi: “Your beliefs become your thoughts. Your thoughts become your words. Your words become your actions. Your actions become your habits. Your habits become your values. Your values become your destiny.”

Gandhi was a very interesting man and he’s right. Most everything that we do stems from our mind and from our thoughts as they have a way of working themselves out. That first glance at the woman may seem innocent enough and it may be as I have learned that a simple glance over at an attractive woman does not mean that you desire her but Christ warns us because He knows our tendencies and our habits. We must remember that God took on flesh and became man, in the form of Christ, so He knows us personally rather than just forehand.

While many people are strong willed and seem to persevere through most anything, temptation is real and we must not forget that we are in a real battle. Not necessarily a physical one but things do get physical at times but a spiritual foe. Romans 1:20 tells us this: “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:”

Building upon what Gandhi said, Jesus tells us in Matthew 15:18-19:

But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For tout of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:”