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Key Bible Verses: Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. (James 1:14-15) Dig Deeper: Romans 7

Because temptations are often rooted in something created by God as "good," they always look appealing. They coax, induce, allure, and seduce us. Temptation, in the typical use of the term, suggests an act, word, or attitude that brings negative consequences if acted upon. For most of us, if we are merely playing a simple game of word association, temptation also calls to mind a lack of self-control. None of us likes to admit that we cannot control ourselves in the face of temptation.

More to the point, we don't completely want to control ourselves. After all, temptation can be exciting. It is both sobering and sad that today many people feel most alive, most human, most themselves when they experience the adrenaline rush of temptation.

Thus, some people actually put themselves in the position to be tempted on purpose. It is fun to them. It's entertainment. It takes the focus off the hard things of life for a few pleasurable moments. So these people actually cultivate wrong desire for fear that they would otherwise be cut off from that which makes them feel most alive. [These] people think they are looking for something, when in fact they are being looked for—they are becoming prey [for their own desires].

—Todd D. Hunter in Our Favorite Sins

My Response: What circumstances typically make me most susceptible to temptation?

Thought to Apply: It is often necessary to think twice before we recognize that a beautiful object or goal (at times) is really sin in disguise.—Henry Virkler (counselor, professor)

Adapted from Our Favorite Sins (Thomas Nelson, 2012) by permission. All rights reserved by the copyright holder and/or the publisher. May not be reproduced.

Copyright © 2013 by Christianity Today/Men of Integrity magazine. Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.

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Prayer for the Week

Lord, set me free from any sinful desires and help me to seek only you with all of my heart.

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