He who winks with his eye is plotting perversity. He who purses his lips is bent on evil. ~Proverbs 16:30
Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people. Then satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the twelve. And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. They were delighted and agreed to give him money. He consented and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present. ~Luke 22:1-6
As soon as Judas took the bread, satan entered into him. “What you are about to do, do quickly,”” Jesus told him, but no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the feast, or to give something to the poor. As soon as Jesus had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night. ~John 13:27-30
O Lord, the God who avenges, O God who avenges, shine forth. Rise up, O Judge of the earth! Pay back to the proud what they deserve. How long will the wicked, O Lord, how long will the wicked be jubilant? They pour out arrogant words. All the evildoers are full of boasting. They crush your people, O Lord. They oppress Your inheritance. They slay the widow and the alien. They murder the Fatherless. They say, “The Lord does not see. The God of Jacob pays no heed.” Take heed, you senseless ones among the people. You fools, when will you become wise? Does He who implanted the ear not hear? Does He who formed the eye not see? Does He who disciplines nations not punish? Does He who teaches man lack knowledge? The Lord knows the thoughts of man. He knows that they are futile. Blessed is the man You discipline, O Lord, the man You teach from your law; You grant him relief from days of trouble, till a pit is dug for the wicked. ~Psalm 94:1-13
Steps in temptation:
1. Notice, and want to check it out: “Each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire,”
2. Think about it: “he is dragged away and enticed.”
3. Make a plan: “Then, after desire is conceived,”
4. Act on it: “it gives birth to sin;”
5. Justify it: “and sin, when it is full grown,”
6. Consequences: “gives birth to death.”
~James 1:14-15
In the past, when Kathy and I used to teach Confirmation, or even with younger children, when we did the lesson on “steps that lead to sin,” the lesson was preferably always accompanied with a fresh batch of homemade, fresh out of the oven brownies, placed right in the middle of the table, with no permission to eat them. We would talk about the steps that lead to sin while the scent of warm, rich chocolate brownies filled the room. It usually got the point across pretty well.
He who winks with his eye is plotting perversity;” Already, we can see the wheels turning in the temptee’s head. “Hmmmm, this looks interesting. How should I go about getting closer to doing what I want to do so that I can at least check it out? That won’t hurt.” Why don’t good things tempt us more? Why are things that God considers evil, so enticing? Well, it’s because of our sinful nature. Our body still wants to indulge in sin, even when our heart wants to do good.
It is a struggle to resist the urge to give in. Satan knows this and, while he cannot make you do anything, he can sure make evil hard to resist. People don’t usually wake up and say, “I feel like going out and sinning today.” Let’s face it, most people want to have a good day. Even in recovery, most people want to have a day when they don’t give in to the urge to do whatever their particular struggle is. They want to resist temptation. I think that most of us do.
Let’s face it, if temptation weren’t attractive to us, it wouldn’t be a struggle. Satan at least knows us well enough to tailor temptations to fit our interests. Otherwise, what would be the point?
Another reason that we are tempted toward evil is that we may see in it an opportunity to get what we want, our way, and leave God out of the picture. We may know that He would disapprove, Eve sure did, but that apple looked so beautiful! What if it tasted as good as it looked? If she walked away, she might never find out! It’s hard to know that there is something that you could know, but that you’re not supposed to know yet. Is there anybody who is willing to confess to trying to find Christmas presents before the big day?
It’s so common today to hear someone say, “I have a right to!” That’s a way to justify a temptation. But we don’t always have the right. In Celebrate Recovery, step 9 says: “We made direct amends to such people (people we had harmed) whenever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.” We are supposed to confess our sins. But in the effort to do the right thing we can be tempted to tell all, or do all, or be all, but the Lord may say, “NO,” or, “Not yet,” or “Not ever,” with His reasons, and we can be tempted to disobey, with justification, but we would be wrong.
“He who purses his lips is bent on evil.” This is a person who has given up the struggle and has decided to just go with it. Judas was here. We don’t know what the internal struggle was for him. We know what the tipping point was, when the perfume was broken to anoint Jesus’ feet. (John 12:1-8) But, there was obviously much more going on before that point that God doesn’t bother to tell us about.
Being responsible for the money proved to be a temptation that he couldn’t resist, so we know that he had been becoming comfortable with sin and betraying Jesus way before the final act. We also know that when he went to talk to the Sanhedrin, he was already at step 4 in the process: “Act on it: “it gives birth to sin.” So without a miracle, he wasn’t going to turn around. Jesus knew this too, so instead of trying to talk Judas out of it, he simply said to Judas: “What you are about to do, do quickly.” (John 13:27B) Judas was bent on evil. I’m sure his face gave it away.
“O Lord, the God who avenges, O God who avenges, shine forth. Rise up, O Judge of the earth. Pay back to the proud what they deserve.” We are also tempted when we want to do justice and make things right. But if we act out of anger at the wrong, we may do more harm than good. Just look at what is going on in our world today. It’s all in the name of justice!
“How long will the wicked, O Lord, how long will the wicked be jubilant?” Another reason temptation toward evil works is because it promises fun. It may appear to be evil to some, but it looks fun to the one who is tempted. God sees it all. Temptation usually also comes with a belief that there will be some kind of a cloak thrown over us in the moment that will block God’s vision and, no one will ever know.
Of course, as a person becomes more comfortable, they may not care who knows, but what is certain is, whether a person cares or not, God does see. He does hear. He does know. He does care. He always will. “The Lord knows the thoughts of man. He knows that they are futile. Blessed is the man You discipline, O Lord, the man You teach from your law.” When the Lord thwarts your plans, He is demonstrating His love for you. When He does whatever He does to stop your steps in one direction. to guide you in another, He is loving you.
He knows our thoughts. He knows your temptations, but He also knows what will strengthen you to resist when you let Him guide and discipline you. “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful. He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” (1 Cor. 10:13) Thank the Lord, that you always have choices. You are no longer a slave to your sinful nature, but are free to choose to obey Him.
Prayer: Lord, today, with Your help, I commit to walk in Your way, recognize temptation for what it is, and resist the devil and the evil desires that hide deep in my heart. Cleanse my heart oh God! In Jesus’ name, amen.
Song: There Was Jesus
Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people. Then satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the twelve. And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. They were delighted and agreed to give him money. He consented and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present. ~Luke 22:1-6
As soon as Judas took the bread, satan entered into him. “What you are about to do, do quickly,”” Jesus told him, but no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the feast, or to give something to the poor. As soon as Jesus had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night. ~John 13:27-30
O Lord, the God who avenges, O God who avenges, shine forth. Rise up, O Judge of the earth! Pay back to the proud what they deserve. How long will the wicked, O Lord, how long will the wicked be jubilant? They pour out arrogant words. All the evildoers are full of boasting. They crush your people, O Lord. They oppress Your inheritance. They slay the widow and the alien. They murder the Fatherless. They say, “The Lord does not see. The God of Jacob pays no heed.” Take heed, you senseless ones among the people. You fools, when will you become wise? Does He who implanted the ear not hear? Does He who formed the eye not see? Does He who disciplines nations not punish? Does He who teaches man lack knowledge? The Lord knows the thoughts of man. He knows that they are futile. Blessed is the man You discipline, O Lord, the man You teach from your law; You grant him relief from days of trouble, till a pit is dug for the wicked. ~Psalm 94:1-13
Steps in temptation:
1. Notice, and want to check it out: “Each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire,”
2. Think about it: “he is dragged away and enticed.”
3. Make a plan: “Then, after desire is conceived,”
4. Act on it: “it gives birth to sin;”
5. Justify it: “and sin, when it is full grown,”
6. Consequences: “gives birth to death.”
~James 1:14-15
In the past, when Kathy and I used to teach Confirmation, or even with younger children, when we did the lesson on “steps that lead to sin,” the lesson was preferably always accompanied with a fresh batch of homemade, fresh out of the oven brownies, placed right in the middle of the table, with no permission to eat them. We would talk about the steps that lead to sin while the scent of warm, rich chocolate brownies filled the room. It usually got the point across pretty well.
He who winks with his eye is plotting perversity;” Already, we can see the wheels turning in the temptee’s head. “Hmmmm, this looks interesting. How should I go about getting closer to doing what I want to do so that I can at least check it out? That won’t hurt.” Why don’t good things tempt us more? Why are things that God considers evil, so enticing? Well, it’s because of our sinful nature. Our body still wants to indulge in sin, even when our heart wants to do good.
It is a struggle to resist the urge to give in. Satan knows this and, while he cannot make you do anything, he can sure make evil hard to resist. People don’t usually wake up and say, “I feel like going out and sinning today.” Let’s face it, most people want to have a good day. Even in recovery, most people want to have a day when they don’t give in to the urge to do whatever their particular struggle is. They want to resist temptation. I think that most of us do.
Let’s face it, if temptation weren’t attractive to us, it wouldn’t be a struggle. Satan at least knows us well enough to tailor temptations to fit our interests. Otherwise, what would be the point?
Another reason that we are tempted toward evil is that we may see in it an opportunity to get what we want, our way, and leave God out of the picture. We may know that He would disapprove, Eve sure did, but that apple looked so beautiful! What if it tasted as good as it looked? If she walked away, she might never find out! It’s hard to know that there is something that you could know, but that you’re not supposed to know yet. Is there anybody who is willing to confess to trying to find Christmas presents before the big day?
It’s so common today to hear someone say, “I have a right to!” That’s a way to justify a temptation. But we don’t always have the right. In Celebrate Recovery, step 9 says: “We made direct amends to such people (people we had harmed) whenever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.” We are supposed to confess our sins. But in the effort to do the right thing we can be tempted to tell all, or do all, or be all, but the Lord may say, “NO,” or, “Not yet,” or “Not ever,” with His reasons, and we can be tempted to disobey, with justification, but we would be wrong.
“He who purses his lips is bent on evil.” This is a person who has given up the struggle and has decided to just go with it. Judas was here. We don’t know what the internal struggle was for him. We know what the tipping point was, when the perfume was broken to anoint Jesus’ feet. (John 12:1-8) But, there was obviously much more going on before that point that God doesn’t bother to tell us about.
Being responsible for the money proved to be a temptation that he couldn’t resist, so we know that he had been becoming comfortable with sin and betraying Jesus way before the final act. We also know that when he went to talk to the Sanhedrin, he was already at step 4 in the process: “Act on it: “it gives birth to sin.” So without a miracle, he wasn’t going to turn around. Jesus knew this too, so instead of trying to talk Judas out of it, he simply said to Judas: “What you are about to do, do quickly.” (John 13:27B) Judas was bent on evil. I’m sure his face gave it away.
“O Lord, the God who avenges, O God who avenges, shine forth. Rise up, O Judge of the earth. Pay back to the proud what they deserve.” We are also tempted when we want to do justice and make things right. But if we act out of anger at the wrong, we may do more harm than good. Just look at what is going on in our world today. It’s all in the name of justice!
“How long will the wicked, O Lord, how long will the wicked be jubilant?” Another reason temptation toward evil works is because it promises fun. It may appear to be evil to some, but it looks fun to the one who is tempted. God sees it all. Temptation usually also comes with a belief that there will be some kind of a cloak thrown over us in the moment that will block God’s vision and, no one will ever know.
Of course, as a person becomes more comfortable, they may not care who knows, but what is certain is, whether a person cares or not, God does see. He does hear. He does know. He does care. He always will. “The Lord knows the thoughts of man. He knows that they are futile. Blessed is the man You discipline, O Lord, the man You teach from your law.” When the Lord thwarts your plans, He is demonstrating His love for you. When He does whatever He does to stop your steps in one direction. to guide you in another, He is loving you.
He knows our thoughts. He knows your temptations, but He also knows what will strengthen you to resist when you let Him guide and discipline you. “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful. He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” (1 Cor. 10:13) Thank the Lord, that you always have choices. You are no longer a slave to your sinful nature, but are free to choose to obey Him.
Prayer: Lord, today, with Your help, I commit to walk in Your way, recognize temptation for what it is, and resist the devil and the evil desires that hide deep in my heart. Cleanse my heart oh God! In Jesus’ name, amen.
Song: There Was Jesus
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