Las Vegas has been called "Sin City" for many years. Currently people refer to it as Disneyland for Adults. Growing up on the central coast of California, we would refer to north of us as Sodom and to the south Gomorrah. Temptation to experiment with taboo pleasures is part of our nature. We are coninually subject to it's glossy lure.
In the Lord's Prayer, Jesus taught us to pray saying," . . .lead me not into temptation". Temptation is not a sin. It is yielding to it's immoral pleasures that produce sin and death. On the flip side, the cup of suffering and persecution is often used by the "tempter"(Satan) to discourage us and question the integrity of our faith.
The Progression of Compromise
Passive attitude towards God's direction
Influenced by natural feelings rather than God's Word
Natural curiosity and fantasies toward things considered taboo
Actively seeks out people and situations to satisfy curiosity
Begin to question the authority of God's Word
Experiment with the taboo pleasures
Focus on sensual feelings that bring instant gratification
Guilt feelings awaken because of violated conscience
Confession and attempts to get back to God
Frustration over strong sensual drives and feelings
Justify immorality by rationalizing God's Word to mean something different
Argue and become defensive about new life style.
This progression is given in general terms in Psalm 1.
How To Overcome Temptation
1. Memorize key portions of God's Word in specific areas of temptation
2. Remember that God's commands are for your protection and provision
3. Forbidden pleasures always end in despair and death
4. Avoid tempting situations, pray for discernment
5. Actively pursue church related service opportunities
