by Robert Robertson

Created on: January 19, 2009

How do we answer the question that Christians have been asking almost since the Ascension? Is temptation sinful? We will start our answer to this question by examining the words of Jesus in Matthew 18:7 (ESV). "Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes!" Jesus says that it is necessary that temptations come, which means that as Christians we should expect temptations. Jesus also says that the one who does the tempting can expect woe or grief.

Who does the tempting? Is it Satan? Is it God? Is it a combination of both? James tells us that God tempts no one and that God cannot be tempted with evil (James 1:13). Scripture is clear that it's not God that tempts us. Do we have proof that Satan tempts us? Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness (Luke 4:1-3 and Matthew 4: 1-10). If Satan will tempt the Son of God, he will tempt us.

Since we're discussing the temptation of Jesus, it would be good to be reminded of the fact that Jesus was the only perfect, sinless man (2 Corinthians 5:21). If Jesus was tempted and he was sinless, can temptation be sin? Obviously not.

If we go back and look at the first part of Matthew 18:7, "Woe to the world for temptations to sin" we can see where incorrect exegesis can, and most certainly has, caused temptation to be equated to sin. The sermon probably sounds similar to this.

"Woe to you if you're tempted to sin! The Lord Jesus tells us in this verse that if you have temptations you're sinning. When Jesus says woe he really means eternal damnation. If you're tempted by looking at women you're going to face the Fire and Brimstone of Hell. Are you tempted to drink? Woe to you for the fire and brimstone of Hell is what awaits you! Do you want to spend all of eternity suffering unending torment in Hell?"

This is very poor exegesis and there is no excuse for it. At best is sloppy work. At worst it borders on heresy. The really sad part is that it does not lead people to Christ, it leads them away from Him, to the place it's designed to lead the away from, Hell.

No, temptation is not sin. Giving into temptation is sin. If you're a Christian, Christ was crucified for your sins. He paid the penalty for you. When you give in to temptation you crucify Him all over again, every time you do it. If you're not a Christian, you can be. Talk to a Christian friend or call your local church. If you're not a Christian, eternal torment in Hell does await you, without the fire and brimstone.

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