The Exegetical Anatomy of Temptation
The Spirit and Temptation
If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today. Eternal Life
Would you like to live a life pleasing to Jesus? As a child, I wanted to live one day without sin. I never reached that goal, but still persevere. In this brief study, we will look at a few verses dealing with your spirit and temptation.
Section One
God and Temptation
1.1 Common to Man. God promised that all people face temptation. 1Paul wrote πειρασμὸς ὑμᾶς οὐκ εἴληφεν εἰ μὴ ἀνθρώπινος· πιστὸς δὲ ὁ θεός, ὃς οὐκ ἐάσει ὑμᾶς πειρασθῆναι ὑπὲρ ὃ δύνασθε, ἀλλὰ ποιήσει σὺν τῷ πειρασμῷ καὶ τὴν ἔκβασιν τοῦ ⸀δύνασθαι ὑπενεγκεῖν. Literally, Paul wrote that temptation has not overtaken you except human, meaning we face human temptations. Even Jesus faced temptation, but he never sinned (Hebrews 4:15). So, we know that temptation is not the same as sin. Sin happens when we give in to temptation. God never tempts anyone and God cannot be tempted by sin (James 1:13).
1.2 God Controls Temptation. God controls the temptation in the sense that He will never allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able to bear. Therefore, temptations may come your way that would be completely overwhelming for me, but not for you. The same temptation affects different people in different ways.
1.3 Escape Always Available. God made a huge promise regarding temptation: He promised a way of escape from every temptation. So, at the moment of temptation, we have to make a choice. Do I flee the temptation or do I sin right now? God promised we can escape every time, because He provides the way of escape.
Section Two
The Spirit and Temptation
Prayer and Temptation
2.1 Keep Watching. As Jesus drew near to His arrest and crucifixion, He spent time in the Garden of Gethsemane with His disciples. He commanded them to keep watching and praying. 2Jesus used the term γρηγορεῖτε–present active imperative, second person plural. Jesus commanded His disciples to keep watching–continuous action. Jesus also used the term προσεύχεσθε–present middle imperative, second person plural. Jesus also commanded His disciples to keep praying.
References
| ↑1 | Paul wrote πειρασμὸς ὑμᾶς οὐκ εἴληφεν εἰ μὴ ἀνθρώπινος· πιστὸς δὲ ὁ θεός, ὃς οὐκ ἐάσει ὑμᾶς πειρασθῆναι ὑπὲρ ὃ δύνασθε, ἀλλὰ ποιήσει σὺν τῷ πειρασμῷ καὶ τὴν ἔκβασιν τοῦ ⸀δύνασθαι ὑπενεγκεῖν. Literally, Paul wrote that temptation has not overtaken you except human, meaning we face human temptations. |
|---|---|
| ↑2 | Jesus used the term γρηγορεῖτε–present active imperative, second person plural. Jesus commanded His disciples to keep watching–continuous action. Jesus also used the term προσεύχεσθε–present middle imperative, second person plural. Jesus also commanded His disciples to keep praying. |