Why Are We So Easily Deceived by Temptation?

 

Why are we so easily deceived by temptation?

by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

Why are we so easily deceived by temptation?

Sin attracts us when we are deceived into thinking something that appeals to our senses is good. The danger lies in not recognizing if a desire is right or wrong.

But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13b NIV)

 A lost hummingbird provided an example to me of deception’s attraction.

 A continuous thump followed by a buzzing noise drew my eyes to the window in our garage. A hummingbird had flown inside while the door was open and continued to bump the glass in an attempt to escape.

I tried to catch the tiny bird but each time I got close, the creature discovered a new surge of energy and escaped my grasp. The little avian flew higher out of my reach, so I grabbed the ladder and waited until the wings slowed down. I cupped my hands around the little cutie that was the size of a large insect.

The shimmery green head poked out of my finger cage. The wings continued to buzz for a moment as if the bird couldn’t decide if it was relieved to be rescued or afraid of a predator.

I sat down on the ladder steps and held my find until she calmed down. I tapped on the door of the house to show my husband our visitor and he prepared sugar water for our little friend. The bird’s long tongue slipped out and lapped up the much-needed refreshment.

After he rested, I opened my hands, and the hummingbird flew away.

I surmised the bird must have seen the red plastic handle on the garage door release and mistook it for a flower. The confused hummer followed a false promise. The red plastic appeared to be a source of food but upon closer inspection, he found he had been deceived.

False promises always appear attractive. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be drawn to them. We can be led astray the way the little treeswift was by something that appears to be what we want. But we can fall into a trap and need help getting out.

The hummingbird didn’t trust me to rescue it even though I had her best interest at heart. When we fall prey to temptation’s false promises, we may resist God at first because we don’t recognize how He tries to help us.

How Can We Avoid the Trap of Distraction?

Stay focused on Christ. We are drawn into temptation when we give in to ungodly enticement. Obviously, if we experience a fleshly desire that goes against God’s commands, we should turn away from it just as quickly as Joseph did when he was tempted by Potiphar’s wife.

But there are times we may not recognize a temptation as evil. Some things can appear normal and good. Abiding in Christ will help us know when a desire can lead to harmful behavior.

But each one is tempted when he is dragged away, enticed and baited [to commit sin] by his own [worldly] desire (lust, passion). Then when the illicit desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin and when sin has run its course, it gives birth to death. (James 1: 14–15 AMP)

Don’t tread in places we know will be temptations. Entertainment, books, other people’s conversations, and video games can be mires of sinful habits that draw us to take a peek or participate. None of these things are evil in themselves, but the content can be the bait. They can be attractive and fun, but one step is all it takes to fall into quicksand. Even a few minutes of participation can be enough to cause us to sink to a level we don’t want to be in.

Keep away from every kind of evil. (1 Thessalonians 5:22 GW)

Distraction is the first step that put the fruit into Eve’s hands. The next step was the bite. The serpent drew her attention away from what God said and put an attractive false promise in front of God’s first woman. The man (who was right there with her) also raised the fruit to his mouth.

Deception’s attraction crashed the human race into sin.

The Remedy for Deception

The little hummingbird in my garage flew toward a false promise. No food fed him as he pecked at the red cord. The bird tried to fly away but only continued to tire himself by banging against the window. He went the wrong way. He needed rest and nourishment to escape.

Weariness can invade our minds after we fall for temptation. We may be so confused we keep going the wrong way to try to get out of a mess. If we attempt to fix ourselves all we do is grow more frustrated. We need spiritual rest and nourishment from the Word.

When we feel trapped by deception the Lord’s loving embrace will rescue us from that miry pit. We will find that His hands are the safest place to rest.

Living in Christ’s identity can keep us strong enough to recognize and avoid the trap of deception.

What helps you recognize lies that masquerade as truth? Join the conversation.

 Sin attracts us when we are deceived into thinking something that appeals to our senses is good. The danger lies in not recognizing if a desire is right or wrong. (click to share on X)

PLEASE NOTE: THE BLOG SCHEDULE HAS CHANGED TO BI-WEEKLY. THE NEXT POST WILL BE THURSDAY, AUGUST 29. THANKS FOR READING! 

Image by Arek Socha from Pixabay