Temptation: A Means to Salvation?

Then Jesus was led by the spirit into the desert, to be tempted by the devil.

—Matthew 4:1

Temptation will either crush you or help to sanctify you.

You, my brother, will be led into various temptations but let not temptation lead you.

The One who taught His disciples to pray “[Father] lead us not into temptation” (Mt 6:13) was led by the Holy Spirit into temptation.^[1]

God tempts no one,^[2] but rather allows us to be led into temptation, that is, the spiritual battle because man must prove that he loves the God who has proven His love for man. The Holy Spirit leads man into combat with the devil, who can only be conquered by love. Overcoming temptation is a proof of love for only love animated by faith can overcome temptation truly.^[3] “The greatest of all evils is not to be tempted, because there are then grounds for believing that the devil looks upon us as his property.”^[4]

Temptations can be likened to the ocean tide, which is relentless, pounding, and never-ending. The ocean’s waves will never cease crashing upon earth’s shoreline, nor will temptations cease crashing upon the shores of man’s soul. The choice is yours, my brother, whether you will be sand, saturated by and washed into the tide of temptation, or rock that repels the waters of temptation, while allowing its character to be shaped by them.

“Truly I tell you that no one should consider himself a perfect friend of God until he has passed through many temptations and tribulations”^[5]

Temptation can lead to salvation,^[1] for if a man encounters temptation and rises above it, he has increased his capacity to love for he learns to have compassion on those who are being tempted in the very ways that he has experienced temptation.^[2]

Even if a man succumbs to temptation and repents of his sin, he can benefit from his repentance by growing in humility and receiving the Lord’s mercy.^[3] Because of the mercy he has received, he will be more capable to give mercy to those in need. Therefore, “count it all joy, when you fall into divers temptations: Knowing that the trying of your faith worketh patience. And patience hath a perfect work: that you may be perfect and entire, failing in nothing” (Jas 1:2–3).

If a soldier does not set out for battle, the battle will come to him. To be led out onto the horizon of battle is to keep the battle and the enemy at bay, away from one’s domain. If temptation is allowed to enter your soul—to the point of being considered—the battle has entered your domain, and, in fact, you have all but surrendered yourself and your domain.

^[1] “Our pilgrimage on earth cannot be exempt from trial. We progress by means of trial. No one knows himself except through trial, or receives a crown except after victory, or strives except against an enemy or temptations.” St. Augustine.

^[2] See 2 Cor 1:4.

^[3] “Sin is shameful only when we commit it; but, being converted into confession and penance, it becomes honorable and wholesome—contrition and confession being so beautiful and odoriferous as to efface its deformity and purify its stench.” St. Francis de Sales, Introduction to the Devout Life (New York: Frederick Pustet & Co).

^[1] See Mt 4:1.

^[2] See Jas 1:13–15.

^[3] “For love of God is this, that we keep his commandments.” 1 Jn 5:3.

^[4] St. John Vianney, Wisdom of the Saints (New York, New York: Barnes and Noble, 2004).

^[5] St. Francis de Sales, Wisdom of the Saints (New York, New York: Barnes and Noble, 2004).