We all face trials and temptations of various kinds (James 1:2-4). We have differing vices. In C. S. Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, the White Witch tempts Edmund with enchanted Turkish Delights. Yielding to this temptation leads Edmund to lie and betray his siblings. It ultimately led to Aslan’s dramatic self-sacrifice for the boy. What was the White Witch’s purpose in tempting the boy? Why did Lewis develop his narrative in this way? In this article, we will consider what temptation is. Thereafter, we will ponder the purpose of temptation, where we will revisit Edmund and the alluring confectionery. We will end with some thoughts on resisting temptation.
What Is Temptation?
Temptation is the offer to reject God’s perfect purpose for our lives.
God’s purposes for our lives are only good. His desire is for our spiritual birth and growth (1 Thessalonians 4:3). He only gives good gifts (Matthew 7:9-11; James 1:16-17). He is light; in him is no darkness (1 John 1:5). God is the antithesis of evil, thus he is neither temptable nor the tempter (James 1:13).
Temptation has been a thorn in our sides since the beginning.
Satan, on the other hand, is called the “tempter” (Matthew 4:3; 1 Corinthians 7:5). He and his minions are like marketing agents for sin. Satan tries to make sin look attractive. With guile, he offers us something contrary to God’s good and perfect will. He employs a technique very similar to that of fishermen. A fisherman casts a lure into the water to deceive, entice, and catch the fish. The cunning fisherman will mimic the movements of the creature by controlling the lure. Temptation only becomes a problem for the fish when it takes the bait.
But Satan can only tempt us. He cannot make us succumb.
Although God allows temptation (as in Job’s life), and Satan executes it, we are drawn into it by our own sinful desires. We are persuaded. Desire takes over—sin results (James 1:14-15). Sin begins as something novel, slips into drudgery, and ends in bondage. Temptation has been a thorn in our sides since the beginning (Genesis 3:1).
The Purpose of Temptation
Because God allows temptation, he must have an excellent purpose for doing so. God is always at work for our good and his glory. He wants us to know, trust, and obey him; temptation, on the other hand, is the offer to reject God’s loving purpose for us. When we reject temptation—as Job did—and rest in God’s sovereignty, God’s name is more glorified than if we had never been tempted. The ultimate temptation is to be satisfied in something other than God; to doubt God’s goodness. To glorify God’s name is to give him the preeminent place in our hearts. It is to allow Jesus to be Lord of our lives.
When we reject temptation, God’s name is more glorified than if we had never been tempted.
When Edmund realised that he had yielded to temptation, he turned to Aslan for forgiveness. Aslan is the Christ of Narnia. Edmund had believed the White Witch’s lies about Aslan. When he repented, Edmund said, “Of course [Aslan] isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the king, I tell you.” He saw that Aslan was awe-inspiring and good. We learn, writes one theologian, from this ageless children’s story that, “In Aslan, we experience all the mighty paradoxes of the incarnate Son: he is powerful yet gentle, filled with righteous anger yet rich with compassion; he inspires awe and even terror (for he is not a tame lion), yet he is as beautiful as he is good.”
God’s will is that we turn from temptation and a self-serving life; that we resist being dragged away and enticed by our desires, sin, and ultimately death (James 1:14-15). Instead, we must embrace sanctification, in which, after testing, we endure and persevere toward maturity in Christ (James 1:2-4). This is why God allows us to be tempted: so that we will stand firm and bring him glory.
How to Resist Temptation
Yielding to temptation has consequences. David heartbreakingly learned this truth (2 Samuel 12:18). We see it in our own lives and in those of our friends and family. Broken homes. Fractured trust. Dashed promises. Hurt. Anger.
Yielding to temptation has consequences. Broken homes. Fractured trust. Dashed promises. Hurt. Anger.
Jesus never succumbed to temptation (Matthew 4:1-11; 2 Corinthians 5:21). But he knows it intimately. Thus he can help us as our counsellor and advocate (Hebrews 2:18). He taught us to pray that God would not allow temptation in our lives (Matthew 6:13), so that we would be delivered from evil. But when we face temptation and capitulate, we need to look in the mirror and say unequivocally, “I have sinned against the Lord” (2 Samuel 12:13). David acknowledged that he had sinned primarily and ultimately against his Creator and responded with a penitent heart (Psalm 51).
A plainly practical guide to dealing with temptation is also to follow Joseph’s lead: run. Flee. Avoid situations where you may be tempted to gossip, lust, cheat, or hurt others. Keep away from unhelpful media. Install filter software on your laptop when you are strong to protect yourself from online vices during your weaker moments. Experience has shown that we are more likely to succumb when we are tired, bored, or down.
Saturate your life with what is honourable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8)—with God’s people; his word; and his presence.
When Faced With Temptation, Choose God
Rejecting temptation is a passing over of the lesser for the greater.
In Lewis’s Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Edmund was not only saved and forgiven. He ultimately fought under Aslan against the witch and became known as King Edmund the Just. But more than turning our most embarrassing stumbles and habitual failings into moments of redemption, rejecting temptation is a passing over of the lesser for the greater, the sham for the substance. It is to choose awe, joy, and reverence in Christ the glorious king over the offer of something else, and while doing so, sing: “Our God is an awesome God; He reigns from heaven above / With wisdom, power, and love / Our God is an awesome God.”
Temptation is the offer to reject God’s perfect purpose for our lives. Today, choose life. Choose light. Choose Jesus, the true, better, and ultimate Aslan.
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