Could Temptation be a good thing????

@bird123 (10632)
United States
October 1, 2011 1:15am CST
Religion associates temptation with the devil and evil. They say it's the devil that tempts you into doing all kinds of things you normally wouldn't do. In truth, the devil does not exist. Of course, no one wants to blame God for our temptations. Could temptations really be a good thing?? Could it be God sending you those temptations?? Let me start with one of my temptations. For years, I have had a weakness for eating donuts, especially those freshly cooked so light and fluffy. Just the smell of them would make me eat them. The funny thing about donuts is they aren't really healthy. After eating them, they would sit in my stomach, churning for hours just to get them down. The next day, I was OK again. I would soon forget that trouble. What's this?? Someone brings in more fresh donuts. Ah yes, here we go again, Yum! I couldn't resist the temptation. Once again, the old stomach would fight, rumble, and complain. Given enough time, consequences teach us all. I realized the donuts weren't worth all the trouble with my stomach. Now, I will not eat any donuts. Stomach's great! Tempt me all you want. It won't happen. Isn't this the same with all temptations in life?? When we discover the truth, the temptation is no longer a temptation. WE UNDERSTAND. Perhaps, temptation is the test for our learning. Sure, consequences for chosing temptation can hurt, however they also Teach. Can we blame God for teaching us?? OK!OK! Some must have that devil. People just must have someone else to blame for their weaknesses and lack of understanding. Next time you are tempted, Think about it. We will find out what you really know and understand.
1 person likes this
13 responses
@1hopefulman (45125)
• Canada
2 Oct 11
I find your comments similar to: James 1:2-4 King James Version (KJV) 2My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. James 1:12 King James Version (KJV) 12Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Are you surprised?
1 person likes this
@1hopefulman (45125)
• Canada
2 Oct 11
But are you surprised to see that in the Bible or you knew that it was there? I personally believe that the devil is real and is an angel that rebelled. The truth is like an onion, it has many layers but it is still the truth and it is all in harmony. No, I don't believe the devil is doing me a service by stirring up troubles. No more than if my neighbor caused me problems. I have grown to the point where I don't need someone else to make problems for me. I can learn by thinking and reasoning.
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@bird123 (10632)
• United States
3 Oct 11
I didn't know it was there but it doesn't surprise me at all. You say that you believe in the devil but do not need any trouble. How could you learn to overcome temptation is there never was any??? Hmmm??? Wouldn't your education be lacking if you did not have that ability??? Hmmm?? Sure, no one wants adversity, however adversity brings so many opportunities to learn and grow. Those challenges are important. You say you can learn by thinking and reasoning yet adversity is the excuse that points one in the direction to learn. What's the old saying?? Adversity breeds invention. Everything comes from God, however if you need someone to blame, we can call him the devil. Keep peeling on that onion. The picture will change with more pieces to the puzzle.
@bird123 (10632)
• United States
2 Oct 11
Me, surprised?? Not really. The question then remains if you believe in the devil. Is the devil doing people a service by tempting them which in turn teaches them so much??? Does the devil really exist or is there intelligence at work which leads us to learning??? Remember, multiple levels with multiple views, one must look beyond the surface. There is much more to the story than simply good and evil, reward and punishment, heaven and hell.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
3 Oct 11
How sure are you that there's no devil in this world?? It's not just the story made by religion to have someone to blame. They blame the devil because they exists. I also believe that the devil was once the high-ranking angel and God gave him more power than other angels. But that high-ranking angel wanted to be more powerful than God so he rebelled agaisnt God. That's why God kicked him out of heaven. God made the hell for satan. And maybe satan wants to bring us all with him that's why he make those tempations for us. Maybe not all tempations are from the devil but you would know if the temptation is from the devil or not. http://www.raptureready.com/faq/faq84.html I know someone who has been possessed by the devil or evil spirit. Or I don't know if she was possessed but she feel like there's always someone with her. And some faith healers said she has guy spirit with her, who's always following her. The story was just year ago. I know she was saying the truth because you can see it to her that she was really having this big problem. She tried many times to attend the church but every time the mass started she always felt like she can't breath, so she always ends up outside the church and not able to attend the mass. Also one time in their apartment, her boyfriend went outside to buy something. She was in her room and she said she saw someone sneakingly looking at her from her room. She though it was her boyfriend. But a minute later her boyfriend arrived. So it wasn't her boyfriend who she felt looking at her. She also said that she always seen guy shadow, like she though someone was there but there was really no one there. And her boyfriend tell us the story about her when they where in a cab at the backseat, when he looked at the rear mirror, she saw her girlfriend looking back at him but when he look at her girlfriend, she was looking outside and wasn't looking at the rear mirror. Also the girl said when she was looking at the mirror combing her hair. She was looking at her hair but she felt like her self was looking at her. She said whe was shivering and didn't want to look in the mirror from then on. I know more stories about evil possesions that's why I believe that devil really exists.
• Philippines
5 Oct 11
I didn't know what really happened before. What I can say is God didn't create all his creations like a robot where he can manipulate if it when wrong. About the evil spirit, You can tell him yourself to look for you. He's just everywhere. I bet he's already there smiling like a clown.
1 person likes this
@bird123 (10632)
• United States
4 Oct 11
Seems like your god isn't as smart or perfect as he should be or he would FIX the problem rather than expel the children and create hell. As for the devil and your friend, I wasn't there so I won't make judgment calls as to what happened. I do know people can see what they want to see. As for your friend's problem, have her tell the evil spirit to come see bird123. I'll be their best friend and stop picking on people who might be weak. Tell your spirit they are a coward. Bird123 says so. My answer is to shine light in their eyes. Darkness can never exist where there is light.
@bird123 (10632)
• United States
6 Oct 11
No God didn't make robots. On the other hand, why do you think there are people who can't be fixed and should be given up on?? From my experience, I know that God is very very smart. No children will go unfixed and discarded. God has ways far beyond that of mankind. I'm not worried about that evil spirit. Just think. Maybe if he is too busy with me he will leave your friend alone. Hmmm??? Who is laughing now???
• United States
2 Oct 11
Does it really make sense that this god of yours who supposedly loves all his children unconditionally would tempt his children to disobey him so they could learn through the consequences of their action? Why not just tell the children the dos and don'ts and save a lot of discomfort? It makes more sense that the temptation is coming from a source other than God.
@bird123 (10632)
• United States
2 Oct 11
God can tell people dos and don'ts til He is blue in the face. Sometimes people must discover for themselves. Learn by doing. Do you think God ever tests you??? Isn't temptation no more than a test??? You might be hurt when people do not obey you, however it's no big deal with God. It's not about ruling with God like it is with mankind. If God can create universes, what are a few wayward children. Once children understand, the temptation is gone just like with myself and the donuts. God loves unconditionally then sends lessons that you choose through your free choices. Make it easy or hard on yourself. We are all free to do so. People fight so hard to prevent failure, however more is learned through failure than anything else. Couldn't the same be true with giving in to temptation just like I did with those donuts. It taught me what the true answer was. Don't eat donuts!!
• United States
4 Oct 11
It would not surprise me if I've been tested by God, but being tested is not the same as being tempted. Testing is a gauge used to determine a level of development. To tempt is to persuade, particularly toward evil. God is love and can neither be tempted nor will He tempt. Satan is the tempter. From previous discussions, I know you don't believe in Satan. But if Satan doesn't exist then man is not tempted and is, therefore, either intrinsically good or evil. It also negates choice. The one who is by nature evil cannot be reincarnated to be good. He would have to be destroyed. He also could never know forgiveness because he could not use the excuse that he'd been tempted to rebel against God.
@bird123 (10632)
• United States
5 Oct 11
How in the world do you come up with such conclusions??? Doesn't one have to use temptation to test if you will give in to temptation??? Can't one tempt without being evil. Isn't that called sales or marketing. Must you see only evil in the world?? Why must you believe that man can not be tempted without satan?? Once again, sales and marketing's job is to tempt. Satan has nothing to do with that. How you determine that mankind has no choice and is either totally good or evil is beyond me. Where is the reason and logic here?? WE all have the freedom to choose. You could never really learn any other way. Finally your logic to justify satan and God frying His children makes no sense at all. Why would God create anyone totally by nature evil without a choice only to fry them in a fiery pit???? I must say that you are reaching to try to justify satan and the creation of hell, however it doesn't add up. Do you know what mankind does when they can't solve the problem?? They destroy. These ideas are incorporated in holy books simply because they are written by mankind who do not really understand.
@jennyze (7029)
• Indonesia
5 Oct 11
I once watched a movie where a businessman was turned into the nowadays Noah... I forgot the title. In the movie there was a line: Will god give you peace when you pray for peace? No, God will give you something else for you to combat hen you will make your peace. So, yes... for me temptation is good. It will either strengthen your believe or it will get you down and down. It will depend on yourself, and you could not blame others for it. By the way, I like to be the temptation sometimes...
@bird123 (10632)
• United States
5 Oct 11
OK! I like that line from the movie. Somehow, I think you UNDERSTAND!. As far as you like being tempted, I'll send those donuts your way when someone shows up with them. No one will believe it when I take one then walk into the next room. THey will think I'm eating them but I'll just be wrapping them up to send you. Temptation is heading your way. Hey, wait, another person made the comment only the devil tempts. . I thought a while back you claimed to have a little devil in you. I better be careful. You might tempt me.
• Canada
4 Oct 11
Actually you might want to think a bit! There few things you need to realize: - God dosn't tempt any one - It's devil that tempt us Read Mark 1: 12 Temtations are some kind of test. God doesn't allow temptation to go beyond what you can bear and He will provide you away out. Read 1 Cor 10: 13 Since it's devil that tempt us, did you know he is also limited to what he can do? Read Job chapters 1 & 2
@bird123 (10632)
• United States
5 Oct 11
Do I really need stories written by mankind?? THe devil does not exist. I agree that God will not give you more than you can bear. It's not about punishment.
@stary1 (6612)
• United States
14 Oct 11
Temptations are there for us as a learning process in my opinion. LOL on your donut story but I can relate and good for you for overcoming the temptation. I don't know if Satan exists..I do think there are sinister forces but I think all the temptations are indeed a way to teach us self control and self discipline and aid in our growth.
@bird123 (10632)
• United States
15 Oct 11
Yes, one thing about it. If we do overcome the temptation, we finally Understand what the choices were all about. Sinister forces???? God has many many children. Many choose evil simply because, like the temptations, they do not fully understand. Since it is our duty to teach each other, some souls will choose to go through great adversity in order that others see. In the case of evil, sometimes goodness hurts in order to get close enough to Overcome evil. Evil has a run, however Goodness will always win in the end. If one can not see this, patience will show it in time.
@urbandekay (18278)
4 Oct 11
2My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. James 1 kjv all the best urban
• Philippines
1 Oct 11
if you don't believe that evil exist... good for you... but the thing is you can't omit, scrap out or take away evil in the world of religions... because by taking away the other you are making the other useless... each (evil and good) complements each other. and by doing so the existence of each depends on each other. it's like saying we will never know what is darkness if there is no light. imagine yourself as a blind person since birth... all you see is darkness so you have no idea what the light looks like. same thing with the evil and good... if there is no evil then there is no good. if you say that devil doesn't exist then God doesn't exist too... that is the if you believe all these stuffs anyways.
@bird123 (10632)
• United States
1 Oct 11
Good point. Of course, we know there are good choices and bad choices thereby good and evil exists. I do not understand why the devil must exist if God exists. I exist yet there is no alter ego that exists for me. Religion creates these stories and must have opposite characters in order to place blame. They use these comparisons in order to compare you thus shape your actions to their will. I do know that God exists. I know God has many children who choose evil simply because they do not truly understand their choice. I know that God never abandons His children no matter how long it takes to teach them to understand. Religion can't have the devil saved for that would end the comparisons and the stories. Life is the education of God's children. In time, all the kiddies will make it even if it takes eternity.
• India
2 Jun 12
could anybody dare to disagree with you?
@rafiholmes (2896)
• Malaysia
1 Oct 11
of course..temptation is surely a bad thing..if too much or out of control.. its only good thing for the economy..where people have to keep on buying and buying things they dont really need due to temptations..lolz..
@bird123 (10632)
• United States
1 Oct 11
One must be selective in what they buy so they don't run out of money before they eat. Of course, economies work on the circulation of money. The more it moves around; the better the economy. The consumer always helps keep economies going regardless of what they buy. As of late, we could all use more of that.
@waflay (2737)
• Nairobi, Kenya
1 Oct 11
Consider this, having a law in your country that forbid stealing and you go ahead and steal, are you liable for a punishment? Yes! But what drove you to steal? Carnal desires. But we have to understand that, the law is very blind if someone does not know a certain law exist. So, one is bound by the law only if he/she has knowledge about it. The same applies to temptations, you must have knowledge of God's existence for you to have temptations. If you have learned in the Bible that the Devil is responsible for temptations, then you have come across a text about the man called Job who was tempted by the devil with a permission from God Himself. Another place where the devil is seen responsible for temptation was when Jesus was praying and fasting- So I think the Devil is permitted to tempt believer.. Happy time.
@bird123 (10632)
• United States
1 Oct 11
In my country, even if you do not know the law, you are bound by it. They will say it is your responsibility to know. Steal and you end up in jail regardless of your knowledge. As for the devil, he exists only in stories. If the devil actually existed and God permitted him to tempt people, that would be no different than God doing it Himself. People must have someone to blame. They create the devil for that purpose rather than discovering the real truth. I guess it's easier that way.
@naseemkum (1803)
• India
1 Oct 11
Normally the temptations wont cause upon my life. I wont blame those temptations in life. As i dont had belief in evil also. As doing bad or good things its a decision of mind what god has fixed me when im born nothing wrong upon my habits and i cant change whats going to be happen. I really do what my mind accepts sometimes something bad things also my mind accept but its human reality.
@bird123 (10632)
• United States
1 Oct 11
Consequences resulting from our choices will teach us all to understand thereby eliminating temptations. Our choice determines what lesson we need to learn. God does set the parameters of our lives within which we make our free choices. One can always choose differently within those parameters.
@Bula210 (42)
• Kenya
1 Oct 11
Temptations without doubt will come to but, God will make a way for it to pass. Without temptation there is no testimony.
@bird123 (10632)
• United States
1 Oct 11
Temptations only pass when one fully understands them. Just as in the donuts, they are no longer a temptation because I understand what they are and the results of eating them. Clarity removes the temptation. Once there is understanding, the choices become very easy.