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Thoughts for a Woman's Heart |
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encouragement in things that matter |
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A Done Deal – or is it? |
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The facial expressions captured by our toddlers or their sudden bursts of emotion sometimes create a desire in their moms to crawl inside their little heads and explore what they are thinking. We realize we can’t do that, although it would be fun to understand their world from their very young perspective. As adults, and especially as believers, we are thankful no one has the option of crawling inside our heads and reading our thoughts like an open book. Obviously, both the good and the bad can occupy our thought life. The good doesn’t concern us, but the bad we would prefer to hide from any potential onlookers. Amidst the perceived "bad," are those thoughts we call, "temptations." Temptations usually come in those areas we know we have a weakness in, or a particular vulnerability to. When that "bad temptation thought" enters our thinking, the spiritually sensitive Christian is very much aware of it. The problem is that from that point, it can be a downward spiral of guilt for many, even though the temptation was never responded to, and was never willingly pondered or entertained as a direction to move in. The thought happened – it occurred – therefore, it must be a done deal. I have failed again in that area I have diligently sought God’s grace for, and I have sinned. But let me ask – is it really a "done deal"? Have I truly failed again? Have I sinned?
Biblically, not every use of the word "temptation" is a reference to thoughts or situations that lead to wrongdoing. According to Vine’s dictionary of biblical words, a temptation can be a trial with a beneficial purpose, that is divinely permitted or divinely sent. Webster’s dictionary gives us an idea of the purpose of a temptation. In short, a temptation is a strength test. The trials and difficulties of life can not only test our strength, but they can also enlarge our strength. Temptations that want to draw us into wrongdoing, or wrong attitudes, or wrong beliefs, test the strength of our convictions, our dependency on God, and the reality of God’s grace in our lives. Such temptations do not originate with God, but they will still be a voice that wants us to listen, a feeling that calls for satisfaction, or a prompting that desires a response – all in areas that we know are apart from God’s will and purpose for us. But listen carefully! That temptation that sent you in a downward guilt spiral – and you never responded to it or willingly pondered it – was only a voice, it was only a feeling, it was only a prompting. In and of itself, it is not sin! The sinless Son of God heard those voices, felt those feelings, and sensed those promptings when Satan confronted Him in the wilderness. The sinless Son of God chose to say "no" to the temptations He was confronted with, was strengthened by the truth and presence of God, and was still, as always, the sinless Son of God. Daughter of God, be strengthened and encouraged by God’s truth.
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— Bev |
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Readers are invited to respond to Bev by contacting her at WHeart@BethanyBibleFellowship.org. We are sorry that she cannot personally answer your emails, but she will try to address your questions and concerns in future articles. |
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