Temptations Men Face - A Christian Perspective

I have put together this piece for delivery to my cell group which meets on Friday 21st May 2010.

Tonight’s lesson is based on a book written by Tom L. Eisenman.

“Temptations Men Face”

A Straightforward Talk on Power, Money, Affairs, Perfectionism, Insensitivity
(Available in paperback)

By Tom L. Eisenman

Contents
Preface
1. Set Free
2. The Temptation to be Macho
3. The Temptation of Sexual Lust
4. The Temptation to Have an Affair
5. The Temptation to Wield Power
6. The Temptation to Love Money
7. The Temptation to Be Perfect
8. Deliverance
9. How Can I Help My Man? A Chapter for Women.

In his book, Eisenman offers general strategies for all of us on how to oppose temptations and find freedom from the evil that binds us. He even has a chapter for women entitled “How can I help my man?” presumably to do just that. A good book to read, try it.

Before I dwell on the text given in our study let’s take a hard look at “Temptations” in general and if we could take some time to try to genuinely understand them; what they are, where they come from, who are affected and are there practical ways to overcome them? Let’s see.

What they are:
In his book, Eisenman listed at least 6 major temptations that men generally face. What are these? (See above). But of course there are in reality much more temptations in this world than one would care to list.

Where they come from:
There are three primary sources of temptation:
The world, the flesh and the devil.

First of all, temptation is precipitated by the world. What I mean here is that the world albeit in all its splendor is a major cause of our temptation. The love of Mammon and the love of the World as a whole versus the love of God, now who do you think wins? What does the Bible say?

Second, temptation is rooted in the nature of man. Consider the temptation of David /Bathsheba, Samson /Delilah, Judas who betrayed Christ for 30 pieces of silver (?), Ananias and Sapphira (?) The weakness of man is evident in everyone. When tested, we often succumb to this weakness. Without the help of God we really cannot overcome temptations, can we?

Paul’s advice to Timothy is highly relevant even today and it is this: “But you, O man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.” (I Tim. 6:11).

The third source is the devil (Satan himself), dubbed the Greatest Tempter. Consider the 2 most outstanding temptations the world had ever known, the temptation of Eve (in the Garden of Eden) and the temptation of Christ (in the desert). We all know what happened in each of these cases, don’t we?

A common question is “Why doesn’t God just kill the devil and remove the attraction for sin?”

But if that were to happen, then you and I would lose the ability to be over-comers in Jesus. Without opposition, there is no victory! God has not called us to a life of ease, but to one of victory, a victory that we cannot enjoy until we have faced evil and overcome it.

Notice that when temptation came to Christ, he met every temptation head-on by quoting from the Scriptures. After that the devil fled. Truly then the word of God is a very powerful weapon against the devil. The advice is to use it often.

Who exactly is affected?
THE SUBJECT OF TEMPTATION,
All humans are subject to temptation.

Man is made in the image of the triune God. Man is a triune being, he possesses body, soul and spirit. When you are tempted, it will always be in one of these three areas.

Body is the “flesh” the physical being, temptations of the flesh (laziness, lust, over-indulgence, sexual sin, etc.);

Soul speaks of your mind, your will and your emotions (The world always appeals to the ego, or pride. A worldly person is one who is given over to the pleasures of the world, sin of selfishness, greed, etc and a host of temptations associated with that);

Spirit: If the soul is our self-consciousness, then the spirit is our God-consciousness. Our spirit is what sets us apart from the animals. Man alone can know God! It is in the spirit that we can know God. The spirit is the realm of worship, and it is our spirit that worships and communicates with God. (John 4:24 says: “God is spirit, and his worshippers must worship in spirit and in truth”)

Temptation can strike any person, at any place and at any time.

Sometimes temptation comes just after graduation or after some other notable achievement, while man is enjoying his new triumph. At other times it comes when man has just faced failure or disappointment and capitalizes upon man’s weakness and discouragement. Satan comes at moments of indecision, influencing the decision his way.

How to overcome?
OVERCOMING TEMPTATION

On the night of his betrayal, Jesus prayed in the garden of Gethsemane. After he had poured out his heart in prayer to God, he returned to his disciples and said, “Watch and pray, so that you will not fall into temptation.” (Matt. 26:41).

2 Peter 2:9 says, “The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation.”(KJV)

“…And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it” (1 Cor. 10:13)(NIV).

DELIVERANCE
There are three words to remember when facing temptation: (1) Flight, (2) Faith, and (3) Fight.

To Overcome The Flesh We Need Flight - The key to defeating fleshly temptations is to flee from them. (see 1 Cor. 6:18 - “flee fornication” i.e. flee from sexual immorality; 1 Cor. 10:14 - “flee idolatry”; 2 Tim. 2:22 - “flee youthful lusts” or flee from evil desires of youth).

To Overcome The World We Need Faith - Faith that Jesus will take care of us when we willingly give up the attachment to worldly things. If we are “loving the world”, we are not loving God (1 John 2:15; James 4:4). Worldly pursuits and godly ones generally don’t mix.

If you really want victory over the world, then love Jesus more, “let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith” (Heb. 12:2). It is our faith in him that offers us the victory (1 John 5:4) (“for everyone born of God overcomes the world”).

To Overcome The Devil We Must Fight - If we stand up to him and fight, he will flee - James 4:7 (“Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you”). You cannot run away from him, but you can drive him away from you. You must face him in the power of the shed blood of Jesus Christ. He doesn’t fear you, but he trembles before the blood of the Lamb! Fight Satan and he will flee! (Eph. 4:27 “and do not give the devil a foothold”; 1 Pet. 5:8 “resist the devil, stand firm in the faith”).

NOW let’s get back to our Study Text, specifically the one on “Temptations that Fathers Face” and take a look in the area on “Deliverance” as suggested by Eisenman; a method Eisenman endorsed using the acronym “HEALED” which application I am told was quite successful with Alcoholics Anonymous.

First, what are the 6 Top Temptations that fathers will face which this Study has revealed? Go read Tom Eisenman's book "Temptations Men Face". See contents in brief on top.

In this respect what are the FEARS, EXPECTATIONS and REALITIES of the fathers’ and of Society at large?

Are they legitimate? What goals are we seeking? Are we realistic? Question: Can one size fit all?

Is this achievable: a family life that’s united, responsible and balanced? Can we free ourselves, i.e. our body, soul and spirit from all worldly and evil addictions? What must we do?

The Apostle Paul tells us that with God’s help we can be OVERCOMERS, Amen?

Discuss H.E.A.L.E.D. What it is and how can it help us? Refer to Pages 39-41 of the Bible Study.

Be encouraged by what the Apostle Paul said in Romans 8:31, “If God is for us, who can be against us?”

As Christians we are repeatedly told to live as Children of Light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth), be imitators of God and live a life of love, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ, sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Eph. Chapter 5). Let’s keep on doing that, Amen?

In conclusion I urge you to:
“Watch and pray, so that you will not fall into temptation.” (Matt. 26:41); And put on the Armor of God as described in Ephesians Chapter 6:10-18.

God bless.

About retirement

My advice to young people who have just entered the work force has often been this i.e. to plan for your retirement at an early age because financial security at retirement which is inescapable is so crucial in this modern time and age.

The financial status and security of seniors in retirement can significantly influence the success or enjoyment of the retirement experience.

First, those with higher incomes are likely to have more opportunity to pursue recreational and leisure activities, provided they are in good physical health.

Second, being financially secure increases the likelihood of a comfortable, safe, and accessible housing.

Finally, receiving quality healthcare and support services is more likely for those from higher income brackets.

It is important to note, however, that financial affluence does not guarantee an enjoyable retirement experience AND is not required in order to be happy in retirement.

Because the average life expectancy in our country is about 78 years, those retiring at age 60 on averages can now expect to spend some 18 to 20 years maybe more in the role of a
Retiree!

Just how much does one need in those retirement years to live that seemingly possible comfortable and enjoyable life is something that one has to work out on one’s own self and in one’s own time?

Of course the merits are that the earlier the homework is done the better. I think the longer the span of time that we allow ourselves to achieving our retirement goal (in pecuniary terms) the easier it will be in our arriving at it.

I am afraid just like success in life, in this pursuit there are no short cuts either.

But don’t despair if you couldn’t make it even with all of your planning. You are probably not the only ones. Life will go on regardless but I guess without the frills.

Adjusting to retirement is a process that is not always completed immediately after leaving the work place.

In essence, it takes courage and humility to accept what it is indeed your lot in life.

As someone had put it, “Once a peacock but now (literally) a feather-duster!” and if that’s what you were or have been you should now accept the regression with grace.

Once the reality of retirement has set in, it is important to remember to set goals for yourself or find activities that provide a sense of purpose and meaning to your days.

Whether it's working in the wood-shop or on the computer, setting out a garden, or spending more time with grandchildren, it is important to feel useful and productive.

As the saying goes, a man’s got to do what he has to do. Indeed, he must even in retirement.

And while at it my advice is now is a good time to seek after God and make peace with your Creator if you have not already done so. Not only for your body and mind but your soul needs nourishment too.

Go to a church and find new friends, honest friends that you can relate to and fellowship with.

It has been said, “Money is not required to buy one necessity of the soul,” (quote attributed to Henry David Thoreau). That’s very true but you’ll have to make the time and the effort to go after it.

It is also good to have your regular walks in the park and coffee-shop talk with your peers; travel with your spouse and see places especially those you have never seen before or indulge in food adventures as you like it.

Now who says there isn’t a life after retirement? I am quite certain there is but you’ve got go find it.

I guess the best part of retirement is often doing nothing and not worrying about being caught at it! No pressure, no stress, no heartache except and unless as one fellow had put it, you play golf!

Did you know that golf is played by some twenty million mature American men whose wives think they are out there having fun? Are they really, you tell me?

By all means if you can afford it and had enough, retire from work but remember not ever from life.

It’s my belief that in one’s retirement years the best of life is yet to come. I like to think that life is a ticket to the greatest show on earth and if I might add to that which is this, you ain’t seen anything yet!

Cheers!

Let's listen to Ricky Nelson sing this beautiful old favorite entitled "A Wonder Like You". Thanks to "marieren" for sharing.

Is computer technology our slave or master?

Nowadays we have the Internet, knowledge for whatever its worth has by and large been digitalized and millions if not billions of people are hooked onto the “Net” on a daily basis!

We have become a people very much dependent on information technology for our almost everything.

Indeed, someone had said that the “Internet” has become the world’s largest library and very soon, the largest shopping centre too.

Imagine, you sit at home, lock onto a computer and you can search or buy almost anything under the sun with just a click of a mouse, which was not possible at all less than thirty years ago.

Even the old-timers are doing what most people say, just yahoo or goggle it but you could be surprised by what you’ll find.

The data-base is incredible! Ever wonder how they are able to put up so much stuff in there?

You can’t help but think that when something can be used so effortlessly, surely great effort must have gone into its making. It’s incredible but true, man’s genius knows no bounds!

The power of technology is sweeping the globe and like time and the river it waits for no man.

Either you tame it and make it your slave or it traps and enslaves you. I think the power that’s been unleashed by computer technology has gone beyond even its creators’ wildest dreams.

Questions that come to mind are: Can we live without computers? Are we enslaved by this technology or not? Can business move, can the world tick without it?

Someone once said, “Technology is a queer thing. It brings you great gifts with one hand and it stabs you in the back with the other.”

Karl Marx had this observation and said, “The production of too many useful things results in too many useless people.”

Indeed, now we have machines to work for us literally at the push of a button.

It’s no wonder our working week is shrinking and very soon it might be down to a 4-day working week instead of 5! But is that good for us or not?

“The saddest aspect of life right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom”, so said the famed social scientist Issac Asimov in 1998. And I think he isn’t wrong at all.

Indeed as Albert Einstein had put it, “It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity.”

If it keeps up, man could be endangering the very Earth he calls home.

You know one guy puts it this way, “The real danger is not that computers will begin to think like men, but that men will begin to think like computers.”

And if we are not careful that day may come sooner than we think. How pathetic!

I will close with this thought.

Buckminister Fuller, the founder of the Geodesic Doom, an architect by profession and a renowned 21st century thinker had posed this challenge some years back which I think is still relevant today.

The question he had asked is this: “Does humanity have a chance to survive lastingly and successfully on planet Earth and if so, how?”

Is computer technology our slave or our master? Will it kill us or can it save us from impending disaster? Think on it.

While doing that let’s listen to Slim Whitman sing “North Wind” (live concert) a rare oldie (not often heard) of the sixties brought to us courtesy of “mgbay”. TQ.