TEMPTATION AND SIN—REDEMPTION
The Bible says God does not tempt nor cause anyone to sin (James 1:13-15). But he has provided a way of redemption for those who do sin (John 3:16; 1 John 2:2).
CAUSE OF TEMPTATION AND SIN
Adam and Eve were tempted and sinned in the Garden of Eden by disobeying God. The Lord told them not to eat fruit from a particular tree in the Garden, lest they die. Appearing as a serpent, the devil tempted them to eat the fruit, by telling them they would be like God. They ate from the tree and died, being separated from God the only source of physical and spiritual life.
When confronted by God they each had their excuse for disobeying God:
The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” (Some people blame God for their sin, directly or indirectly.)
The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” (“The devil made me do it.”)
The Lord held each accountable. In addition to death: He cursed the woman with pains in childbearing and being subject to her husband; and he cursed the man to toil with the ground all his life for food. The Lord Cursed the serpent saying: I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”
The Lord God made garments of the skin of a slain animal for Adam and his wife and clothed them, to hide their sense of nakedness and sin before God. (Genesis 3).
To cover the sins of mankind, God would send his only begotten Son as an offspring of the woman to die as a sacrificial atonement for their sins (Matthew 1:21). Jesus Christ, the offspring, would triumph over the serpentine devil by his atoning sacrifice on the cross, to cover the sins of mankind, and redeem them to God (Colossians 2:15; Revelation 12:9; 1 John 2:2).
HOW WE ARE TEMPTED TO SIN
Examining of the behavior of Adam and Eves in light of James 1:13-15, could give us some insight into temptation and sin in general. James says, each one is tempted when by their own evil desires they are lured away and enticed by dwelling on the temptation. Eve did not stay away from the tree; she “ saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom. Then after desire had conceived, “she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it” Disobeying God “gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.(James 1:13-15; Genesis 3:6)
JESUS IS OUR EXAMPLE OF RESISTING TEMPTATION AND SIN
Jesus is our perfect example of how to deal with temptations and sin. He was tempted in all things like we are yet without sinning (Hebrews 4:15). All that is in the world by which we may be tempted is “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” (1 John 2:16). The Lord was led into wilderness by the Spirit to be tempted of the devil by all these things (Matthew 4:1-11):
TEMPTATION OF THE FLESH. Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread. ”But Jesus answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”Jesus answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”
TEMPTATION OF THE PRIDE OF LIFE. Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple.“If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
TEMPTATION OF THE LUST OF THE EYES. Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.“All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
We should follow Jesus’ example of resisting temptations. We ought to concentrate correctly on God’s words and resist the devil, and he will flee (James 4:7).
JESUS REDEEMS US FROM SIN
The Bible says, as descendants of Adam and Eve: All have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23). For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).
The Bible shows God may allow the devil to tempt us for God’s purpose and glory; and to test and strengthen our faith (1 Peter 5:10). But it says Goes does not allow anyone to be tempted beyond what they are able to bear; but will makes a way to endure or escape the temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13).
However, if we do sin, we have a redeemer and advocate with God the Father (1 Timothy 2:5). Yet, It is not God’s will that we continue to sin that his grace may abound (Romans 6:1-2). We are to believe we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13).We should seek the help of the Holy Spirit who is our helper, to overcome any weakness. With the help of the Spirit, we can please our loving Savior and Lord Jesus Christ who died to redeem us to God.
