“Only those who try to resist temptation know how strong it is,” wrote C. S. Lewis in Mere Christianity. “[Christ] was the only man who never yielded to temptation, is also the only man who knows to the full what temptation means—the only complete realist.”

Knowing that Jesus completely understands temptation is a strong encouragement for us as His followers! And while Jesus understands it from the inside, because He’s experienced it, we also are assured that God never tempts us directly. His perfect holiness won’t allow it. We need to remember the truth that temptation does not come from God (v. 13) but from our own sin nature, the world, and the devil.

The internal process of yielding to temptation is described using vivid imagery. The first description is violent: “They are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed” (v. 14). Commentators point out that this is the language of hunting or fishing. When we are tempted, we are lured or baited or entrapped by our own sinful desires. Temptation is the hunter; we’re the prey. When we give in, we are hooked and dragged into sin. We’re like a rabbit caught in a snare.

The second description is a birth metaphor: “After desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death” (v. 15). Temptation can be an event, as in the first metaphor, but it can also be a process. In the verse, “desire” indicates the start of temptation, “sin” is the wrong choice, and “death” is the consequence. While being tempted is not in itself a sin, as we’ve mentioned, it’s certainly nothing to play around with. Joseph understood and acted on this principle when he was tempted by Potiphar’s wife to commit adultery (Gen. 39). He ran for his spiritual life!

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