Temptation

Thomas A Kempis wrote: "More often than they might suspect, people of reputation have been in grave danger and didn't know it; they're good people, but they've extended their self-confidence beyond its natural limit. From this one could draw the conclusion that it's helpful to be tempted from time to time. One might even say that to be tempted to the point of endurance could help delfate the interior desolation and deflect exterior consolations."

Is temptation something to be viewed as positive in a life lived for Jesus Christ? Jesus taught us to pray " ... and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, ...". And then we have seen example after example of godly person who was tempted both in the past and in our present. And Jesus Himself, God in human body, was LED to the desert FOR THE PURPOSE of being tempted! God " ... who cannot be tempted, nor does He tempt anyone ..." (James 1) was tempted! That is just a little mind wrenching.

To be tempted or not to be tempted. That is the question.