Temptation…

Posted by Scott Williams
10 Comments
June 9, 2010
God | Hmm | Life Application

As I was reading some C.S. Lewis I found this little piece of material that is so rich as it relates to temptation and Bad People.  Here is what C.S. Lewis had to say:

“A silly idea is current that good people do not know what temptation means. This is an obvious lie. Only those who try to resist temptation know how strong it is… A man who gives in to temptation after five minutes simply does not know what it would have been like an hour later.  That is why bad people, in one sense, know very little about badness. They have lived a sheltered life by always giving in.” ~C.S. Lewis

The reality is that you are going to be tempted, the even harsher reality is that it’s difficult to not give in and the harshest reality is that the only way you win is to not give in.  Put your trust in The One who gave you the ability to trust.

When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.  Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. Genesis 3:6-7

What if they would have never eaten the fruit?  What if you would have never…

Temptation…

What do you think about C.S. Lewis had to say?  Share your thoughts and experiences about Temptation.

  • http://marcmillanmusic.wordpress.com Marc Millan

    Hey man, great post, real and true. There are many Bible verses that come to mind. Galations 2:20 “I am crucified with Christ, I no longer live but Christ LIVES in me…” Just stop there when temptation starts and tell your self that, I no longer live…..who’s living? Christ or your skin.
    The Bible is rich with this topic, (Romans 6:6)-crucify the desires of the skin,(2 Timothy 1:7) God has given us a spirit of power, love and self discipline…these and others.
    Make thoughts captive, that’s what I do and I always remember these words Jesus said, “those who love me, do what I say”…those who love him, do what he says….period.
    M_

    • jimmy hankins

      Another silly idea is the notion of good people. We are all flesh. Surrender is the only avenue of escape. Not understanding that just makes the chase more amusing. Like a cat with a mouse between it’s paws. (grin)

      • http://bondchristian.com/ bondChristian

        ^Exception: Jesus.

        Jesus knew more about evil than the local drug dealer, even though the drug dealer might like to argue that.

        That’s such a crucial point. Non-Christians often want testimonies of people who’ve done and gone through all the crazy stuff they have because they think that everyone else just doesn’t understand. That might be true on some level, but in general, it just ain’t so. :>)

        Excellent quote. Thanks for sharing, Scott.

        -Marshall Jones Jr.

    • Scott Williams

      Who’s living, Christ or your skin? Nice!

  • http://goingbyfaith.com Jen (@GoingByFaith)

    I used to think temptation, in its truest form, only meant sensual temptation. It’s a great quote because once we understand life in Jesus, we see the temptations that exist everywhere, all around and possibly every minute. It can be about anything… a temptation to join in the gossip (even if just by listening to it with interest), a temptation to boast about a talent given by God. The “Our Father” takes on a new meaning when we get the reality of spiritual attack in temptation.

    • Scott Williams

      Amen!

  • http://modernreject.com Modern Reject

    I like this post. Great concept.

    The Lord allows us to be tempted but He also allows us a way out of that temptation. Being tempted strengthens us, grows us, just as it did Christ in the desert.

    But giving in, as Lewis refers to it, is something quite different. It then becomes sin. Eve, Adam and the apple became sin.

    This post makes me think of 1 John 2:1 which says “I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin…” We don’t have to sin any longer once we are in Christ…temptation can be the end of it. Blows my mind. I’m not there yet.

    • Scott Williams

      Thx. For the comment I digg the Name Modern Reject!

  • http://allaboutchris.co.uk Chris

    Have you ever read CS Lewis’s Cosmic Trilogy? It’s very interesting, pretty fun, and really outside the box.

    Anyway, one of the books, set on Venus, is pretty much exactly a response to “What if they had never”, and about the battle between sin and evil in a perfect world inhabited by just two people. It’s a fantastic book, and I can’t recommend it enough.

    More information at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perelandra

  • Scott Williams

    Thanks for the comment and thanks for the recommendation!

Designed by EightDay Studio. Powered by the Standard Theme. Developed by Milk Engine.