Temptation

“It is when we notice the dirt that God is most present to us; it is the very sign of His presence.” – C.S. Lewis

I continue to be astounded at the ways that God chooses to reveal Himself, even from a quote taken from a letter written in 1942 by an atheist-turned-Christian-apologist and novelist. This quote from C.S. Lewis has been a favorite of mine in recent weeks for many reasons. As I am continually aware of my sinful, wicked, broken self in my desires to follow Christ with all that I am, I am even more aware of God’s presence. When my sin is overpowering me and my heart is heavy, it is then that God shows up and His presence is more evident than ever before. At times I feel I experience more growth from my recognition and confession of my own sin than from hours of Bible study, meditation, and sermons.

The quote above is taken from a longer excerpt I wanted to delve into a bit more:

“I know all about the despair of overcoming chronic temptations. It is not serious provided self-offended petulance, annoyance at breaking records, impatience, etc. doesn’t get the upper hand. No amount of falls will really undo us if we keep on picking ourselves up each time. We shall of course be very muddy and tattered children by the time we reach home. But the bathrooms are all ready, the towels put out, and the clean clothes are in the airing cupboard. The only fatal thing is to lose one’s temper and give it up. It is when we notice the dirt that God is most present to us; it is the very sign of His presence.” – C.S. Lewis

So often I find myself yearning for heaven – and not just to be able to glorify, praise, worship, exalt, and dwell with God, as incredible as that will be. Heaven also holds the promise that “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:3-4). Oh, how great that day will be, and how I desire it! Yet I find myself here, in the middle of those ‘former things,’  where temptations at times seem to consume me. There are those temptations in my life that become recurring events I cannot seem to overcome. What amazes me is so often, I ignore the reality that I am only able to overcome temptation by the grace of God, and instead I seek to defeat them on my own. I tell myself if I ignore them long enough, they will go away, or as I focus on repentance in other areas, I leave some sins to continually fall back on. And as C.S. Lewis eloquently describes, there is such despair in overcoming those chronic temptations. We keep falling into temptation without really becoming undone if we continually try to resolve them on our own power. This is such foolishness, as the fall still causes pain, brokenness, sin, dirt.

As we are tempted, it is so important to remember that we are not alone. We are not the only person to have ever faced temptation, as much as we may want to believe the opposite. Luke 4:1-13 chronicles Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness, and it is so important to understand the implications that our Savior, who at the cross took on our sins that are a result of our temptation, experienced and overcame His own temptation without sin. Throughout the narrative, Satan perverts Jesus’ needs into temptation. And still, Jesus passes through it because of His complete obedience and trust in God. Sometimes my heart becomes so burdened at knowing the One who knew no sin became sin, became my sin, so that I may have life… But as I struggle with sin, there is hope because of the cross. It is through the cross that I find life. My life is not meant to be lived alone, but rather in relationship with my Savior. Jesus’ example in the face of temptation has a profoundly direct and practical application to our lives as we struggle with temptation.

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” – Hebrews 4:15-16

Jesus was tempted just as we are tempted. We can be comforted that nothing tempting us is foreign to Jesus, as He endured temptation in every respect, every aspect of human life. Jesus did not respond to His temptation with ignorance or self-reliance, but rather in complete obedience and trust in God’s power as He used Scripture to refute each of Satan’s attacks. He is then able to sympathize with our weaknesses. So with that knowledge, we should realize that we are able to draw near to Him. We have confidence because of the cross to approach God, the throne of grace. God is ready and prepared to receive us as our broken, muddy, tattered, dirty selves. We don’t need to fix ourselves or do anything to please Him, but rather we may come to the throne of grace just as we are with confidence in the cross. And it is at that place, when we are able to take notice of our own dirt, our own wickedness, our own brokenness, our own sin and to acknowledge that we are not okay but rather desperately need a Savior to wash us clean through His blood on the cross, where God becomes most present. Out of our desperation, God’s peace, mercy, grace, security, and presence are revealed. The dirt, as C.S. Lewis describes, shows the presence of God in that we only recognize the clean perfection of Jesus Christ when compared to our filth. God is revealed through our brokenness. Our need for a Savior is never more evident than when we acknowledge our own sinfulness.

But the story does not end with us simply acknowledging our brokenness and need for a Savior. We may then receive mercy, grace, peace, and hope. God promises that we are not abandoned in our temptation, but rather extends His merciful hand to grant us grace, peace, and love unconditionally. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” We have hope that there is no temptation that will be beyond our ability to endure. When we are tempted, we must remember not to rely on ourselves, but obediently place our trust fully in our faithful God who is our every provision. Remember to rely on God in those moments of temptation. Recognize and respond to His presence when you notice the dirt in your life.