WHAT WOULD YOU COMMIT YOURSELF TO DO DURING THE SEASON OF LENT?
Is temptation a bad thing? When does temptation become a sin? Temptation itself, though it may not sound good, is not a bad thing. It becomes a sin when we yield to temptation. The teachings on temptations are meant to put us on guard. We are meant to be aware and not to be ignorant of the devices of the enemy. If Jesus himself was tempted, we also will be tempted. Whether you call yourself a spiritual giant or a prayer warrior, our titles mean nothing to Satan. We are admonished by Jesus Christ to be watchful in prayer. The apostle Peter also admonished us to: "Be sober, be vigilant, your adversary, the devil, prowls like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (1 Pet. 5:8).
Believers in Christ are constantly reminded not to take Satan lightly. The apostle James perceives a positive impact of temptation. In his perception, temptation may help our faith to grow stronger. The apostle James wrote, "Count it all joy when you meet various trials; for the trial of your faith produces steadfastness" (James 1:2). Jesus has proved to us that we could all overcome temptation as we continue to lean on Him and constantly engage with Him through prayer and fasting. St Paul stated in his letter to the Church in Corinth that there is no temptation that the believers could not overcome with the help of God: "No temptation has overtaken 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 endure it" (1 Cor. 10:13).