Day 13 — How Temptation Works

“When the woman saw that the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eyes, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom, she took the fruit and ate it. She also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate it.”

— Genesis 3:6 (BSB)

To win a game, it helps to know how your opponent plays. Coaches study the other team. Players watch game film. If you know their moves, you can stop them.

The Bible shows us exactly how temptation plays, starting with the very first temptation in the garden of Eden.

God had given Adam and Eve one rule: don’t eat from one special tree. Then the serpent, the devil, showed up. Look at how temptation worked, step by step:

1. It started with a question. The serpent asked, “Did God really say…?” He made them doubt that God’s rule was good.

2. Then came a lie. He said, “You will not surely die.” He told them God was keeping something good from them.

3. Then Eve looked. “She saw that the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eyes.” The longer she looked, the more she wanted it.

4. She wanted it. It seemed “desirable.” Her feelings grew stronger than her trust in God.

5. She took it. And Adam, who was right there with her, took it too.

Temptation still works the same way today:

• It makes you doubt. Is this really wrong? Does God really care?
• It lies. Nobody will know. It’s not a big deal. It’ll make you happy.
• It gets you looking. The longer you look at something, the more you want it.
• It grows into wanting. And then you act.

Here’s the good news: you can stop temptation at any step. The earlier, the easier. When you notice the doubt or the lie, answer it with God’s truth. When you notice you’re looking, look away. When you feel the wanting, turn to God for help.

Notice something else: Adam was “with her.” He could have spoken up. He could have said, No, let’s obey God. But he didn’t. Sometimes the bravest thing a guy can do is speak up when someone else is about to make a bad choice, and not go along with it.

Think about it: Which step of temptation is it easiest for you to stop? Which is hardest?

Try this: The next time you’re tempted, try to notice which step you’re on. Then stop it right there.

Dear God, thank You for showing me how temptation works. Help me recognize the doubts and lies, look away when I need to, and turn to You for help. Give me courage to speak up when others are being tempted too. In Jesus’ name, Amen.