Last week we discussed how to pray for others. While this subject is quite vast and was not exhaustively covered, we did come to one definitive point: sin is pervasive and affects both believers and unbelievers and is a significant roadblock that bars our prayers. With this in mind, continuing with our theme of prayer, there are some questions to be raised about the sin in regards to temptation and prayer: What is the difference between temptation and trials/testing? Who is behind each? How do we pray for someone undergoing temptation?
First off, what is the difference between temptation and testing? Well surely the main point is who is behind them. With trials/testing we know that they come directly from God. Temptation, however, comes from Satan, demons, the world, and our fallen sin-nature. The origin alone should highlight drastic significance to us. Next, the purpose of temptation is to get us to revert back to walking according to the flesh, which we talked about in Week VII. If we are walking in the flesh, we will surely sin. Testing/Trials however, are meant to prove to us how we are walking. God already knows the answer, but do we? It is God’s way of showing us where we need to improve or where we are succeeding. It is to ensure us of our walk in the Spirit. Before God entrusts us with more talents, he needs us to prove that we are faithful with the ones He’s already given us. Again, God knows whether we’ll be faithful, but it is for our benefit that trials/testing occurs.
So then how do we pray for someone who is often afflicted by temptation? First, we pray of their certainty that through God they can overcome and avoid all temptation.
No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. I Corinthians 10:13
Go will provide a way out or through the temptation. Our initial prayer for someone is that they will have the strength to walk by the Spirit. Next our prayers during their temptation should change slightly. In this case we pray that they should flee from temptation. In the initial prayer, we pray that they will seek God fully and walk according to His Will. While that is included during their temptation, our focus is more on their immediate escape through whatever means necessary. Paul tells us to flee temptation. We want all things to work out for God’s glory, certainly, but during temptation the main prayer is to avoid sin.
After temptation has seized someone there are two results; the first, that someone has given in to their sin. If someone has given into temptation our prayers for them are that they would be forgiven. Immediately after sinning man’s proclivity is towards shame and guilt (Adam and Eve), our prayers, then, are towards their forgiveness and knowledge that God is greater than all of their sin combined.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I John 1:9
After giving in to temptation the shame might compel men to continue to walk according to the flesh and continue to sin, thinking that because they have stumbled once they are defeated and so continue in sin. We should then pray that they would be restored to walking according to the Spirit and seeking God. Finally, we should pray that they would be strengthened against temptation in the future, thus turning back towards our initial prayer.
Finally for those who resist temptation, including ourselves, we should pray first thankfulness towards God. It is through His strength and provision alone that we can resist sin. Remember unbelievers have no choice in sin; they must sin as their spirit is dead and they walk according the flesh. It is in this thanksgiving that we should remember our humility. It is certainly possible in resisting temptation to consider yourself strong, rather than God. This leads to pride and walking according to the flesh. We should pray then, that we would have humility. Lastly we pray that people who have resisted temptation would be able to guide and help others struggling with the same temptation.
In all of these examples people need to be in fellowship with others. Christianity cannot exist in solitude. Believers need the fellowship of others. We should be encouraging others, praying for their resisting temptation and praying for forgiveness when they succumb to it. We should also pray that believers would disciple others so that we can strengthen and encourage our future generations of believers. All this is only possible through God. He strengthens us, helps us escape temptations and tests us to prove to us how He is working in us. Prayer is at once both offensive and defensive.
But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perserverance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I Timothy 6:11-12
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