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Scripture
13 You have never been tempted to sin in any different way than other people. God is faithful. He will not allow you to be tempted more than you can take. But when you are tempted, He will make a way for you to keep from falling into sin.
*I Corinthians 10.13 (NLV)
Wisdom Story
In the Australian bush country grows a little plant called the "sundew." It has a slender stem and tiny, round leaves fringed with hairs that glisten with bright drops of liquid as delicate as fine dew. Woe to the insect, however, that dares to dance on it. Although its attractive clusters of red, white, and pink blossoms are harmless, the leaves are deadly. The shiny moisture on each leaf is sticky and will imprison any bug that touches it. As an insect struggles to free itself, the vibration causes the leaves to close tightly around it. This innocent-looking plant then feeds on its victim.
*Our Daily Bread, Dec. 11, 1992.
Wisdom Saying
Temptation to a certain sin, to any sin, whatsoever, might last throughout our whole life, yet it can never make us displeasing to God's Majesty provided we do not take pleasure in it and give consent to it.
*Francis De Sales(b. 1567). Introduction to the Devout Life. Trans. John K. Ryan.
Comments
Earlier in spiritual development we will likely have mainly a moral, paternalistic view of temptation and sin. We will try to resist temptation and, thus, sin, for we see sin as wrong and displeasing to God.
In time, we grow to have a maturer view of temptation and sin. We do not abandon the idea of moral right and wrong, and we do not give up our desire to avoid what displeases God and do what does please God. However, we may grow to see sin more in regard to effects within us in relation to the Love of God.
Imagine a large fire with coals and ashes. After hours following a fire, we can return to find a fiery residue in the middle of the ashes. We can blow on it and reignite the flame. Other coals that had died out are in flame again.
Likewise, temptation and sin have capacity to temper the flame of Divine Love in us. Our once-passionate affection grows cold. The Love may remain deep within, but it remains inhibited by the state of temptation, trial, or harmful thought or behavior that cools the peaceful and healing flame of Charity.
The shift in maturer faith is from focusing on sin as displeasing God or simply being wrong, to effects on the life of Charity within us. But is this "within us" not selfish? No. The only means of Spirit, or Love, to flow from me to others is an outflowing from within to outside. I can receive Charity from others, from the outflow from within them, but to give Charity means God flows from within me to others outside.
Reflection
Are you facing a particular temptation that you need to pray about?
What in the above writing challenged your thinking?
Brian is available to respond to requests pertaining to seeking a Spiritual Director, his speaking, doing classes, workshops, or retreats for churches or other spiritual groups.
Brian K. Wilcox offers "The Light Shines" daily devotionals as part of the outreach and nurture ministry of Christ Community United Methodist Church, Punta Gorda, Florida, where he serves as pastor. For inclusion on the mailing list, write to shalom77@embarqmail.com to join the daily devotional list.
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*Brian K. Wilcox lives with his wife, Rocio, and their two dogs, St. Francis and Bandit Ty, in Clearwater and Punta Gorda, Florida. He is a United Methodist pastor and vowed member of Greenbough House of Prayer, a contemplative Christian community in Georgia. His passion is living a contemplative life and inspiring others to experience a deeper relationship with Christ through contemplative prayer and living.
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