Lenten Themes--Temptation and Sin
Here is my promised Wed post for Lent...and it's much shorter this week!
I've been following the daily reading guide provided by Mars Hill Bible Church (available free @ www.mhbcmi.org). And these readings are the same (or similar) readings to those being engaged all across the world by Christians everywhere. It is one of those unseen and immeasurable spiritual experiences, for we are connected across time and space with millions and millions of people who are walking his exact same road during Lent...the journey where we walk through the life of Jesus.
Last week the readings focused on the temptations of Jesus. This week the focus has shifted to our own experience of temptation. Here are the readings for this week...
Monday 1 Cor 10:1-13
Tuesday James 1:12-15
Wednesday 1 Peter 1:3-7
Thursday Gal 6:1-5
Friday Prov 4:10-15
Saturday James 1:2-8
I am only thru Wednesday, but I was struck with a question this morning...
What is the relationship between temptation, sin, trials, and suffering?
These seem to be intertwined throughout the readings. Can I sin without being tempted? Do I engage/counter trials the same whay I would sin? Is suffering more connected to temptation, sin or trials?
posted by Greg @ 3/15/2006 08:16:00 AM
4 Comments:
Sin and Suffering follow on from Temptation and Trials but not of necessity.
I would see the main difference in how they are all related is probably in the sources, the purposes and the ends of temptation and trials.
The sources: God is never the source of temptation for the evil within us draws us away to be enticed...the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the pride of life. Temptation may either be sparked from within or from Satan. On the other hand, God does allow trials in our lives.
The purposes: The purpose of temptation is to entice us by promise of pleasure or gain to sin. God allows us to be tried but the purpose is to perfect our faith, not to lead us into sin.
The ends; The end of suffering leads to life. The end of tempation leads to death.
I meant to say, "the end of sin leads to death."
I meant to say "the end of sin leads to death".
travelling lite, I like most of what you say. If the source is different for each and God is not the source of temptation, are you saying that God is the source of trials? I think he allows trials just like he allows temptation. Though sometimes I think he is a more direct source of trials.
I like how you distinguish the purposes of each.
You say the end of suffering leads to life. Not necessarily. It depends on how we react to it. The end of suffering could be a loss of faith and death if one's response is bitterness and a turning away from God.
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