It is important to remember that if we are going to avoid temptation (which should be our first avenue of defense!), we need to know when and where to look for it.
The initial overview of this topical study can be found HERE.
Part I of the Common Sources of Temptation can be found HERE.
I should state that by common sources of temptation I am referring to a broader view than the simple categories such as food, money, sex etc. We are ALL tempted by different desires. I am instead referring to the factors that can easily lead us astray and take our eyes off of God and redirect our eyes towards whatever might tempt us as individuals!
You can hover your pointer over (most) any verse reference to read the corresponding verse(s). (Scriptural cross-references are THE most important resource!)
Wrong Associations
Dt 7:3-4
- Initial Observations -- A clear warning from God that marrying (or associating) incorrectly can lead to idolatry! Solomon (see below) failed to heed this warning. As I state below, it makes me sad to think of all the warnings from God that I have failed to heed!
- Cross-references -- Jos 23:12-13 1Ki 11:12 Ezr 9:12-14 Ex 34:12-16 2Co 6:14-17 Ex 20:5
1Ki 11:1-4
- Initial thoughts -- Solomon disobeyed God's command, and listened instead to his own lusts and the women who led him away from God! Solomon fell prey to two of the three main causes of temptation: 1) Following human associations (peer pressure!) over the commands of God, and 2) Allowing his own lusts to cause him to sin. God warned Solomon! (note to self!!)
- Cross-references -- Dt 7:3-4 Ex 23:31-33 Ex 34:12-16 (God even says, "Watch yourself" A very clear warning!) Jos 23:12-13 Ezr 9:12 Mal 2:11 1Ki 16:31-33 2Co 6:14-16 1Co 15:33 !!! Rev 2:4 1Ki 8:61 1Ki 9:4-7 !! 1Ki 15:3 Ne 13:26 1Ki 11:6 God warned Solomon. God told Solomon the reward for following God's commandments and the punishment for disobedience. How often have we (I) ignored God's warnings?? Makes me sad to think about it.
- Commentaries -- The Wycliffe Bible Commentary points out that even though Solomon's sin may not be as glaring as the great sin of his father David, there is also NO written record of Solomon's repentance. And although David sinned (as we all do!) he repented and never turned from God towards idolatry.
Dt 13:6-11
- Initial Observations -- God also warns us that our own blood relatives or closest friends could try to turn us away from God and towards idolatry. This is admittedly a tough section of Scripture to read as the last three verses are very severe! A key word is "entice". This relative or friend must first ACTUALLY try to ENTICE us towards idolatry!
- Cross-references -- Dt 17:2-7 Dt 29:18 Pr 5:20 Pr 18:24 Mic 7:5-7 Mt 12:48-50 2Co 5:16 Gal 2:4 1Jn 2:26-27 Pr 1:10 Ezr 5:11 Gal 1:9 1Jn 5:21
Ex 23:31-33
- Initial Observations -- God (as He has before and later in the Scriptures) is commanding His people not make covenants with others to serve other gods and God is warning His people what can and will happen if they are NOT careful!
- Cross-references -- Ex 34:12 Ex 34:15 Dt 7:1-5 Ex 23:24 Ps 106:35 2Co 6:15 Nu 25:1-2 Dt 7:16 Jos 23:13 Jdg 2:3
Jdg 16:4-21
- Initial Observations -- Samson falls prey to many things here! 1) He desires and falls in love with a woman who was most likely a Philistine. (according to the Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary). God warned the Israelites about marrying people not of Israel. 2) Samson's arrogance is fairly telling in that even after she betrays him once he still toys with her! 3) Then he became annoyed and lost patience and told her the truth. He seems to have been blinded by lust, and arrogance. It is sad to see that Samson did not even realize that God had left him at the moment his hair was cut: Jdg 16:20 It is also important to note that God returned Samson's strength to him at the very end.
- Cross-references -- Pr 2:16 Pr 5:3-14 Jn 15:10 1Jn 5:3 Pr 7:21-23
Pr 4:14-15
- Initial Observations -- Fairly straight forward verses! Also falls under ways to avoid temptation. But here we see that it is best for us not to even ENTER the path of the wicked. The words "path" and "way" are often used metaphorically to describe one's personal journey or patterns. Especially the word "way". We should also take special note of the verses that directly precede this warning: Pr 4:11-13 God gives us the way to avoid the path of the evil! We are to pay heed to instruction and not let it go! Jos 1:6-9
- Cross-references: -- Ps 1:1 Pr 1:15 Pr 1:10 Pr 2:11-12 Pr 13:20 Ps 26:4-5 Pr 5:8 Eph 5:1
1Co 15:33
- Initial Observations -- This is one of the most straight forward statements in Scripture regarding this subject. Paul makes it very clear: "bad company corrupts good morals." An absolutely stern and serious warning that we must watch the company we keep!
- Cross-references -- Col 2:4 1Co 6:9 Mt 24:4 Mt 24:24 (even the elect are prone to being misled!) Eph 5:6-7 1Co 5:6 Pr 13:20 2Ti 2:16-18 2Pe 2:2 Rev 2:2 2Th 3:6 1Co 5:9-11 (this is interesting! Maybe worth exploring?)
- Commentaries -- The Wycliffe Bible Commentary: Reminds us that in context, Paul was specifically discussing the effects of WRONG DOCTRINE or those who preach wrong doctrine, on our faith!
2Co 6:14-16
- Initial Observations -- Paul is again, very clear here. I think it is important to look at the words "bound together". Elsewhere, Paul reminds us that we will have some associations with unbelievers: 1Co 5:9-11 (his warning in these verse is with regards to so-called "brothers in the faith" who are on the immoral path.) So what does the term "bound together" mean?
- Terms -- "bound together"= to be unequally yoked. (coupled together) So it means unequally bound together! Unequal because of the difference in belief? This is interesting!! Definitely deserves some more attention!! Another term to look at is "fellowship". Which means=sharing or participation!
- Cross-references -- Dt 22:10 ?? 1Co 5:9 1Jn 1:6 Dt 7:2-3 Ps 139:21-22 Pr 29:27 1Co 10:21 Mt 11:29-30
- Commentaries -- The Believer's Bible Commentary: Tells us that Paul is referring to Dt 22:10 The Ox is considered a clean animal and the donkey unclean. They also had different gaits and would not work well together. This commentary also tells us that Paul is not only referring to marriage but also business or any of our relationships. How encompassing is Paul's point?? This is an important verse that needs a study of its own!! Matthew Henry: Seems a little less conservative in his view BUT at the same time he takes Paul's words VERY seriously! Henry uses the word mingle quite often in his commentary on this verse. Life Application Study Bible: Does state that business relationships are being referred to in this verse but with the caveat that we should avoid those relationships that would cause us to "compromise our faith."
Thoughts and Application
- God is very clear. We must not make covenants with those who would try to lead astray from God. Paul states we should not be "bound together".
- However, what does that mean? I do know God has put some people in my life who are not believers who are great friends of mine. And none of them have tried to lead me away from God (to the best of my knowledge).
- Of course I understand the marriage covenant and why we should marry those of the same faith! But what about friendship with non-believers? I still feel that this is somewhat unclear (or it is clear and I am just not seeing it!??) I think the key is to not be friends with those who strive to lead us astray!
- I do see that we can not let ourselves be led astray by peer pressure or wrong associations. I do feel that this specific subject (especially 2Co 6:14-16 ) need a closer look!
Bibliography
- Brand, Chad, Charles Draper, Archie England, ed. Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2003. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
- Evans, William. The Great Doctrines of the Bible. Chicago: Bible Institute Colportage Assoc., 1912. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
- Fleming, Don. Concise Bible Commentary. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 1994. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
- God's Word: Today's Bible Translation That Means What It Says Holiday, FL: Green Key Books, n.d.. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
- God's Word Application Index. Holiday, FL: Green Key Books, n.d.. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
- – Holman Christian Standard Bible Nashville: Holman Bible, 1999. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
- – Holman Christian Standard Bible Nashville: Holman Bible, 1999. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
- Keener, Craig S. The IVP Bible Background Commentary – New Testament. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
- Holy Bible, New American Standard. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
- Holy Bible, New American Standard La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
- The Holy Bible: New King James Version Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1988. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
- Pfeiffer, Charles F. and Everett F. Harrison, ed. The Wycliffe Bible Commentary. Chicago: Moody Bible Institute, 1990. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
- Thompson, Frank Charles. Thompson Chain Reference Bible. Indianapolis, IN: B. B. Kirkbride Bible Co., 1997. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
- Thompson, Frank Charles. Thompson Chain Reference Bible. Indianapolis, IN: B. B. Kirkbride Bible Co., 1997. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
- Torrey, R. A. The New Topical Textbook. New York: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1897. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
- Vine, William E. Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old Testament and New Testament Words. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1940. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
- Zodhiates, Spiros, ed. – The Complete Word Study New Testament. Chattanooga, TN: AMG, 1991. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
- Zodhiates, Spiros. The Complete Word Study Dictionary – New Testament. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 1993. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
- MacDonald, William, Believer's Bible Commentary. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1995.
- Life Application Study Bible. Tyndale House Publishers, 2004.
- Henry, Matthew. Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible. Public Domain.
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