“The Scripture says that temptation is ‘common to man’ (1 Cor. 10:13). The issue isn’t whether you’re tempted, but whether you’re aware of it and striking back. You are on the verge of wrecking your life. We all are.” (59)
In Tempted and Tried: Temptation and the Triumph of Christ, Russell D. Moore dives into the topic of temptation by looking honestly at Jesus’ account with temptation while in the desert with Satan. Throughout the entire book, Moore uses this story from Jesus’ life as a case study into our lives when it comes to temptation. We are all faced with temptation. All of us. There is no way around that. To think otherwise is to already admit failure in the battle. This book is an absolutely must read by every single pastor, church leader and Christ-follower if they are serious about fighting temptation in their lives, and helping others to fit it in there lives. I simply want to share a few more excerpts from the book that really hit me hard, like the line above:
“The Devil doesn’t mind “family values” as long as what you ultimately value is the family. Satan doesn’t mind “social justice” as long as you see justice as most importantly social. Satan does not tremble at a “Christian worldview” as long as your ultimate goal is to view the world. Satan doesn’t even mind born-again Christianity as long as the new birth is preached apart from the blood of the cross and the life of the resurrection. Pastor, Satan doesn’t mind if you preach on the decrees of God with fervor and passion, reconciling all the tensions between sovereignty and freedom, as long as you don’t preach the gospel. Churches, Satan doesn’t care if your people vote for pro-file candidates, stay married, have sex with whom they’re supposed to, and tear up at all the praise choruses, as long as they don’t see the only power that cancels condemnation–the gospel of Christ crucified.” (154)
The gospel, though, brings good news to tempted rebels like us. Just as our temptation is part of a larger story, so is our exit strategy from its power. The same Spirit who led Jesus through the wilderness and empowered him to overcome the Evil One now surges through all of us who are joined by faith to Jesus. We overcome temptation the same way he did, by trusting in our Father and hearing his voice. (22)
Get the book at http://www.crossway.org/books/tempted-and-tried-tpb/
Chris Hennessey 