Temptation is a sin… Not really

Temptation is a sin… Not really

No temptation has seized 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 stand up under it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 New International Version

My friend Joe (that isn’t his real name) and I were walking together through a wooded area of Valley Forge Park. All I could hear was the crunch of fall leaves under foot until he asked, “Do you think God can forgive me for being tempted?”

“What was your temptation?” I asked.

“There was a really pretty lady at church. When I saw her, all sorts of things began to enter my mind…”

“What did you do with those thoughts?” I asked.

“Mmm… nothing really.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

“Then there is no sin.” I said.

“Are you sure about that? I mean, I have some pretty bad thoughts…”

“Sexy thoughts…” I growled at him and laughed.

With a growl in his voice he said, “Yeah, sexy thoughts.”

We both chuckled.

I told him that, “Temptation is not a sin. I think that sin begins with our use of the temptation in our minds. Like when Jesus said that lusting after a woman is a sin. I think Jesus was saying that if we do not bring our “sin thoughts” to Him, they take on a new meaning (or purpose) in our minds. And when we dwell on our lusts, our minds begin to work on a plan to change the lust into bodily action.”

“So if temptation leads to sin, isn’t it a sin?”

“I don’t think so. A seed grows to become a tree, but it isn’t a tree yet. A seed is merely a seed unless you allow it to grow; so it is with temptation. The temptation kernel has not grown into a tree of sin, it is still only a seed. It is easier to dig up a seed than it is to dig up a tree…”

“I think I understand” said Joe with relief painted on his face.

“Besides, doesn’t the Bible say that God provides a way out of our temptation? Let’s pray about it brother.”

Joe and I stood in the middle of the forest area of the park and prayed out loud to our unseen God. We thanked Him for a way out.