Being Christian in a World of Temptations

Last week I asked one of my young Christian friends, “What should I write on in the coming weeks?” Now even though I am still writing on the Twelve Disciples (Bartholomew is this week), because of current events some other things need to be said. Her answer to me was to start with the dangers of temptations especially in the high school and college age. Well, she couldn’t be more right about what needs to be heard. So to the youth, here is a discussion on temptation.
What is temptation? Putting it simply, temptation is the desire to do something that can lead to undesirable actions and consequences. It is the thoughts of doing something wrong, or unwise. For the Christian it is the thought or desire to do something that leads to actions that are considered sinful or against the Will and Word of God. What are examples of temptations? The acts of: jealousy, lustful thoughts towards individuals of either sex, being judgmental, cheating (on tests, games, on significant other, etc.), desires for material things, lashing out because you did not get your way (anger), desire to indulge in illegal drink or drugs, giving in to procrastination (laziness).
There are things that trigger these temptations. The most common trigger is peers and the influential pressures that come from teen and young adult angst. Trust me young believers, it does not get any easier. The Adversary sees what is going on and takes advantage of situations. One way to look at the triggers is, “how this will make me feel better about myself” (aka self-indulgence) when all you are doing is harming yourself in the long run. Think about the last time you had trouble making decisions, your indecisiveness can lead to bad choices in life. When you feel unwanted or unnoticed and you want to do something that gets people’s attention on only you. When you are questioning your faith because others around you are teasing you for your beliefs. Think of the last time you wanted to prove something to someone, maybe to the point of taking revenge on someone for wronging you. Those with low self-esteem (trigger) may do something to lash out or find themselves doing something that makes them feel good temporarily.           
So what can we do to fight the temptation and avoid having to deal with the negative consequences that follow? How do we maintain our faith in this world full of temptations? Well first is recognizing that it is something that is really not needed, not right, unhealthy, and unchristian like behavior.  Think to yourself, what would Jesus do? Or even how would this affect my relationship with Him, my family, and friends? How will this affect my life and am I willing to accept the loss of some people in my life that were bad influences anyway?   But most of all stay faithful to the Word of God by continuing in His ways.        Also known as Think Hard Before Doing. 
Seriously, think of the consequences before taking action. Sometimes the head and the heart are saying two different things. When they do not match then that is the Adversary pulling at you to do wrong. Listen closely to God’s Word and take the appropriate action. Do not do anything that would cause harm to the temple (the body which includes thoughts, feelings, and emotions). Causing damage to things because you did not get your way or you are confused about your future or the future of other sinners (who are confused and are not true Christians) is not the right thing to do. Society has been tempted and many have fallen into immoral and illegal behaviors, do not follow them. 
Jesus speaks about temptation in many ways. One way that really gets the point across is really a three way lesson. Everyone speaks of the time where Jesus stops the crowd from throwing stones at a woman who committed adultery. This here is an example of the temptation of Judgment without self-examination. He is saying do not be tempted to judge out of anger or peer pressure, compassion and forgiveness are what the woman needs. But He does not let the woman off easy either. In His compassion and love He forgives for the sin but at the same time chides her. Jesus steps in the way of one temptation and gives the other person a reason and the power to resist being tempted into sinning again. To the men with stones, He tells them that the temptation to destroy another out of rule and tradition needs to be replaced with tough love and compassion in order to show the person the faults without aggressive behaviors. Also, personal judgment is not meant for the common man (“Vengeance is Mine saith the Lord”). Jesus flat out chides the women for the sin showing her the damage she has done to relationships and to herself. By the Grace and Mercy which is God, He shows her the punishment which could have been and since Jesus entered her life He flat out tells her, “Go and sin no more.”
​Remember, Temptation leads to Sin which leads to Death (removal from God's sight) unless you Repent (ask forgiveness even if you already have done it once), and Live In Christ.  
Stay strong in your Faith. Stay in the Word Daily. Finally, stay in prayer and consult the Holy Spirit before doing anything but in everything bring it to Jesus.
​The Challenge: Avoid Temptation and do not Stray from God by Falling into sin
The next topic of discussion: Is it ok to remain in sin after Christ has entered in (or can I continue to live my life the way I am now)?