
To most people, this is a dreaded word. Whether one is trying to control weight, or just trying to be morally right, temptation is something everyone dreads. Well, almost.
The word 'temptation' is very funny. To me, it means ignorance, lack of knowledge. Take an example of a little child who has just discovered fire. All he wants to do, it touch that beautiful, radiant thing. Such a temptation! His mother, on the other hand, has touched it long ago, burnt her fingers, suffered, and hence touching fire is not attractive to her at all. She knows it hurts.
Now I see why the Bible relates temptation to Satan - because temptations are trouble in disguise- to the ignorant. Funnily enough, it is only the ones who have given in to temptations and suffered, who do not find these things tempting any more.
However, what if the penalty for giving in to temptation was so great, that one did not get another chance? What if the child reached out to touch the fire but ended up in third degree burns? What then? If you saw a case like that, would you still give in? Would you?
Yes. Unfortunately, yes. Because you do give in to temptations today and everyday, despite seeing others suffer the consequences. Man has this unbelievable theory that what affects others will not affect him. Others might die of obesity, but obesity won't kill HIM. Others may die from smoking, but smoking won't kill HIM. Others may be punished for their wrong, but not HIM. Not YOU. Nice theory. But it doesn't work.
Everything is good in a proper quantity. But when taken too far, they hit you so hard, that it is often too late to change.