"Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one."
She went on to say that if you're tempted it's because of your own sinful nature. And that it's your sin that is tempting you. Your sin...is tempting you? Wait wait wait. To be tempted is not a sin, for Jesus himself was tempted. And temptation is not something which should condemn us, but remind us what we are capable of, and what we have been freed from and lead us to compassion for others who did not escape temptation because we know "nothing has tempted you except that which is common to man." There's an awful lot compassed in that saying.
I, of course, having been politely invited into the conversation, and not being one to sit around and be "taught" without discussion, disagreed and cited Jesus' own temptation. I pointed out that sin comes when we dwell on a temptation, elaborate about it and suppose over what it would be like it in our minds.
The girl automatically went on to say that, yes, Jesus had been tempted, but he rejected it without a moment's notice and we should do the same. She said that we should "flee every temptation" and quoted what I'm sure was a youth minister (because youth ministers undoubtedly say this over and over) in that we should turn the opposite direct and run from any temptation.
That's all nice in theory but here's the deal it's pretty useless in practice. And, frankly, I think the Bible supports evidence of situations in which there was assuredly "temptation" but where the saints did not "flee" and were blessed.
It also brings up the point of moderation in theology. It's not a concept often taught, often thought of, and rarely discussed.
See, when someone makes an all encompassing declarative statement, I don't think they should say in their minds "oh, people should know I don't really mean it's all encompassing," or "people should know if I'm wrong and just make their own adjustments." No, the person should make room for the exceptions and at least pay tribute to them, mention them, or they should be called out for obstructing the truth.
Real truth is not easy. Well, the basis of it is, but when you get into it it's not a bunch of simple encompassing rules. It's hard, it's difficult, it's minute, and a lot of it is based *gasp* on our own convictions.
It bothers me that in two breaths this sweet girl who is clearly trying to teach another about the truth of Christian life would give two statements which require exception. If you ran every time you were around someone you of whom you were tempted to lust you would eventually have a very lack luster marriage. If you never went where you were tempted to glut you'd never find yourself in a store. If you were never in a position where you were tempted to be sinfully angry than justice would never be done.
Moderation is required in most theological aspects. Marry was a virgin, but she was not perfect.
God doesn't temp you, but he allows you to be tempted.
We flee sins and don't "pursue" temptation, but we allow ourselves in situations where we are sometimes tempted with the trust that we are strong in Christ, that the outcome of being in the situation is better than not, and giving ourselves the grace (and to exemplify giving exeption, there are some exceptions to even this: in a situation where you would be tempted to cheat on a spouse, you avoid it completely, where you would be tempted to be inappropriately violent, you avoid it completely, where you would betray someone you love, you avoid it completely, where you know you NEARLY ALWAYS give into temptation, you avoid it, because this is reasonable and wise).
That is all for now. Just some thoughts to chew on. Wisdom would dictate that I get ready for work now.
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