Why is temptation a sin

So what is the solution? The solution to overcoming temptation is found at the first step, taking control of the initial thought or desire. Instead of playing with and mulling over the temptation see it for what it really is. Instead of thinking momentary pleasure think eternal destiny and it just may help you to say no. There are three steps between temptation and sin, we find them in James The intent behind the rule is to avoid not only tempting situations but also anything that might be interpreted as sinful behavior.

In the run-up to Lent many Christians strengthen themselves against temptation as they prepare to celebrate Easter , the day of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. As recounted in the Gospel of Matthew , Satan tempts Jesus as he is fasting — he invites him. The devil specifically asks him to turn stones into bread. He also dares Jesus to throw himself down from a temple while calling angels to the rescue. Jesus did not come to set up a worldly kingdom, but a heavenly one.

From this perspective, temptation is an invitation from the devil not just to turn away from God, but to deny who and what God is. When we talk about the biblical definition of temptation, we're not talking about a casual temptation to do something relatively innocuous.

You might be "tempted" to eat the whole slice of cake on your plate or "tempted" to sign up for the school musical—and doing those things is not inherently sinful. But when the Bible talks about "temptation," it's referring to a temptation for something that draws us away from God. Those kinds of temptations, as unpleasant as they can be, are a part of life, but even those temptations are not sinful.

Human beings understand the moral scale at a deeper level—regardless of their belief in God—and know when something goes against it Romans For the believer who is starkly aware of their sin nature, temptation can be that much more distressing.

Even the apostle Paul lamented, "Nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.

Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me" Romans Does that sound familiar? Remember, temptations are lures that would draw us away from God, His plan, or His will—IF we gave in to them.

Temptations can come in the form of an invitation from another person, an emotional or physical desire, or even as a seemingly innocuous thought. Fortunately, experiencing temptation is not a sin. Sin happens when we give in to those enticing lies that offer fulfillment by acting or dwelling upon those thoughts James Lust, covetousness, pride, greed, and envy are all sins of the heart that began as insidious thought sparks that have been entertained and grown into sinful inclinations.

And yes—even if you are keeping lustful or prideful fantasies in your mind, where they may not be obvious to onlookers, they're still sin Matthew ; Romans ; Mark We are not. It is a more dangerous form of temptation in itself to believe otherwise.

In fact, we should build spiritual levees—bulwarks— around our lives to keep temptation away. Only the devil entices unto rebellion against God. It can seem confusing. James M. Efird of Duke University is helpful at this point:.

But God tests His people. God tested Abraham. God tested Job. Pastor Peter would need the courage won by the forgiving grace of Jesus to face the critical trials that lay ahead. In a word, the best recourse for temptation is to be delivered from it by faith in Christ. Faith is not merely a passive clinging to our justification a one-time event , but rather a militant faith that acts, that seeks sanctification—becoming more like Christ.