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For example, we might spend more then we need to at the store; or buy that one extra item we really don't need. At lunch, we might order the large dessert or maybe eat two doughtnuts at break time, instead of one. We might stay up late and watch just that one program we know we shouldn't really watch.
I get this question a lot from those who are coming into contact with temptation, new friends want them to try things, or new situations come up that they've not encountered before. Usually its the young who are just beginning to experience life and its many temptations....
So at what point does temptation become Sin?
Temptation is never a sin.
Jesus was tempted for 40 days straight by Satan in the wilderness, yet He said "the prince of this world cometh, and he hath nothing in Me." Not once did He sin in thought or deed, even though He "was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin."
The Bible furthermore tells us,
"Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth He any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." James 1:12-15
Hope this helps,
Jon
Yes this is the idea...
Temptation does not really "turn into sin". Temptation can entice you to sin, and to encourage you to do it, but the act of being tempted itself is not a sin.
There should be a careful distinction between temptation, and our own personal thoughts and desires. Sin is not marked by just actions, rather it begins in the mind. There is a point in which what was once just an external temptation becomes now both an external temptation and an internal desire.
For any young person worrying about this I would say, each morning, and before you put yourself in a situation you think you will be tempted..decide beforehand that you WANT to follow God. Then ask Him for strength to do so. If you find yourself being tempted, right then and there ask for help.
When placed in certain situations, the proposition to act or think a certain way will always be there. Do not try to think it is wrong for that proposition to be there, and do not think that you can overcome it in your own strength. Just recognize it for what it is, a temptation, and depend on God.
True..tempt - to induce; entice, as to something immoral.
I think we are all tempted every day in many situations.
For example, we might spend more then we need to at the store; or buy that one extra item we really don't need. At lunch, we might order the large dessert or maybe eat two doughtnuts at break time, instead of one. We might stay up late and watch just that one program we know we shouldn't really watch.
So temptation turns into sin when we act on the thought. When we actually do what we know is wrong;
we have the thought first (being tempted) and then we do it (sin).
I think it is a constant battle.
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