The reality of the moment on any given day is that temptation is just around the corner. And in some cases, in the same room. Sometimes, as close as your refrigerator. So close that many of us are one… single… step away from making a choice that would compromise who we are.
This passing thought became a belief as I reluctantly realized something about myself, which has transformed the way I think about others. I had unwittingly placed myself in a category and gave myself a pass because of my perspective about myself. But it became abundantly clear almost as soon and I’d given voice to some thoughts that I belonged in the same category as those I had unknowingly judged.
As I listened passionately to stories about people who made choices that may have contributed to the demise of their families, I wondered aloud how this could happen. How could someone who was filled with God’s spirit — rooted and grounded in His Word of God — fall to temptations as old as time?
How could someone with such a loving family tear away the fabric of their family – leaving it open and vulnerable? How could someone who was matriculating through the hierarchy of church service stumble and tumble backwards? How can people who’ve been sitting under the life-changing teachings of our church for nearly 30 years have the audacity to walk contrarily?
The beam in my own eye
It wasn’t much longer after voicing my thoughts introspectively that God showed me just how clearly how this could happen. You see, I too was struggling – maybe in a different area than someone else; but struggling nevertheless. Teetering on the edge. Aiming for one direction but going in another instead. Temptation all around me in that continued to challenge me in a showdown. Enticements from all angles and on all fronts. Fully recognized but not strong enough to ignore.
As it was — I was merely a couple of paces in front of temptation and temptation was quickly closing in on me. And if I didn’t watch out, it would overtake me like it had so many other times. Yes, I was one step away from the sin that could so easily beset me. Here I was not fully understanding how someone else could fall into temptation yet I was struggling every day with temptation. Letting my guard down because I knew I could handle it — although I hadn’t so far.
And while I may have rationalized my situation to be different, it wasn’t. Temptation is temptation — no matter the source of it. On some level, it makes no difference; on another level, it makes no sense at all. Am I really any different than the person who finds themselves compromising in the face of enticements? If taken, both can have devastating consequences.
Sometimes, we don’t ever fully understand our own motivations so we don’t have the capacity to understand others. And when we cannot see ourselves as we truly are, we tend to hold others to a self-made standard.
I am thankful that in a moment’s notice, God opened my eyes to truth. I can no longer rationalize or justify my ways about temptation. I cannot explain my actions away. Nor can I afford to hold others to a different standard. Because the real reality is — Jesus is the standard for us all.
Women in Purpose 