Prioritizing Relationship with God in Temptation and Struggle
Prioritizing one's relationship with God during times of temptation and struggle is a central theme in Christian thought, rooted in biblical exhortations and theological reflection. The affections of believers are to be supremely set upon God, as indicated in Deuteronomy 6:3 and Mark 12:30 [1]. This prioritization is seen as a defense against the various sources of temptation and a means of finding support in affliction.
Temptation, in Christian understanding, does not originate from God but rather from internal lusts, covetousness, and the influence of the devil [2]. Satan is identified as the author of temptation, as seen in accounts like 1 Chronicles 21:1 and Matthew 4:1 [2]. Temptation can also arise from external factors such as evil associates, poverty, prosperity, and worldly glory [2]. The prayer "lead us not into temptation" (Matthew 6:13) is understood not as a request to avoid all trials, but rather to prevent temptation from gaining power over believers and causing them to succumb [14]. Jesus himself, after his baptism, was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil, demonstrating that even he experienced temptation [10]. This experience of Christ, having suffered and been tempted, allows him to sympathize with and succor those who are afflicted and tried [11, 12].
The biblical response to temptation involves vigilance and prayer. Jesus instructed his disciples to "Watch and pray, that you don’t enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak" (Matthew 26:41) [4]. This highlights the human struggle between a willing spirit and a weak flesh, necessitating divine aid. John Gill, commenting on Matthew 6:13, notes that Jewish prayers often included petitions against being led into temptation, signifying a desire not to be overcome by it [14].
A strong relationship with God is presented as the primary defense against temptation. The "affections" of a believer should be directed towards God, His commandments, His house and worship, and His people [1]. This zealous engagement for God is seen as a means of resisting temptation. The psalmist expresses a desire for God's presence and support in times of trouble (Psalm 10:1; 102:2) [3]. Furthermore, afflictions themselves can be made beneficial by promoting God's glory, exhibiting His power, teaching His will, and turning individuals back to Him [6]. They can also lead believers to seek God in prayer and convince them of sin [6].
Communion with God is described as a deep, relational connection involving the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit [7]. This communion is exemplified by figures like Enoch, Noah, and Abraham [7]. It is inseparable from love for God and is promised to the obedient [7]. Saints are depicted as desiring this communion, finding it in meditation and prayer, and experiencing it in the Lord's Supper [7]. This intimate relationship with God is crucial for navigating struggles. For instance, the apostle Paul expressed a desire to "be loosed and to be with Christ, which is best of all" (Philippians 1:23, Geneva1599) [5], indicating the supreme value placed on this relationship even in the face of death. Matthew Henry, in his commentary on Colossians 3:1, emphasizes the importance of setting one's heart on heaven and detaching from worldly concerns as a consequence of having "risen with Christ" [13]. This heavenly focus reinforces the prioritization of the relationship with God.
The concept of God fighting for believers even as they face spiritual conflict is articulated by John Calvin. He suggests that believers fight against temptation "by his own power, and with his own weapons," implying that God provides the means of resistance. Calvin states that God "assails us with one hand, he defends us with the other," and that He supplies more strength to resist than He employs in opposing, thus fighting for believers [8]. This perspective underscores the reliance on God's strength in times of struggle.
In the context of suffering, the importance of remembering those who are in bonds for Christ's sake is highlighted, urging believers to sympathize with them "as if in the same condition" [9]. This communal aspect of faith, where believers support each other, reflects the broader principle of prioritizing relationships within the body of Christ, which is an extension of prioritizing the relationship with God. The afflictions experienced by individuals can serve to turn them to God, as seen in Deuteronomy 4:30-31 and Isaiah 10:20-21 [6]. Prayer under affliction often includes petitions for God to consider one's trouble, for His presence and support, for divine comfort, and for deliverance from sin [3].
The struggle against temptation and affliction is not merely a personal battle but one in which God is actively involved, both as the ultimate object of affection and as the source of strength and comfort. The call to prioritize the relationship with God is a call to depend on Him for guidance, strength, and deliverance in all circumstances, particularly when facing spiritual and worldly challenges.
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Affections, The — Should be supremely set upon God -- De 6:3; Mr 12:30. Should be set Upon the commandments of God. -- Ps 19:8-10; 119:20,97,103,167. Upon the house and worship of God. -- 1Ch 29:3; Ps 26:8; 27:4; 84:1,2. Upon the people of God. -- Ps 16:3; Ro 12:10; 2Co 7:13-15; 1Th 2:8. Upon heavenly things. -- Col 3:1,2. Should be zealously engaged for God -- Ps 69:9; 119:139; Ga 4:18. Christ claims the first place in -- Mt 10:37; Lu 14:26. Enkindled by communion with Christ -- Lu 24:32. Blessedness of making God the object of -- Ps 91:14. Should not grow cold -- P”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Temptation — God cannot be the subject of -- Jas 1:13. Does not come from God -- Jas 1:13. Comes from Lusts. -- Jas 1:14. Covetousness. -- Pr 28:20; 1Ti 6:9,10. The devil is the author of -- 1Ch 21:1; Mt 4:1; Joh 13:2; 1Th 3:5. Evil associates, the instruments of -- Pr 1:10; 7:6; 16:29. Often arises through Poverty. -- Pr 30:9; Mt 4:2,3. Prosperity. -- Pr 30:9; Mt 4:8. Worldly glory. -- Nu 22:17; Da 4:30; 5:2; Mt 4:8. To distrust of God's providence -- Mt 4:3. To presumption -- Mt 4:6. To worshipping the god of this world -- Mt 4:9. Often strengthened by the perversi”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Affliction, Prayer Under — Exhortation to -- Jas 5:13. That God would consider our trouble -- 2Ki 19:16; Ne 9:32; Ps 9:13; La 5:1. For the presence and support of God -- Ps 10:1; 102:2. That the Holy Spirit may not be withdrawn -- Ps 51:11. For divine comfort -- Ps 4:6; 119:76. For mitigation of troubles -- Ps 39:12,13. For deliverance -- Ps 25:17,22; 39:10; Isa 64:9-12; Jer 17:14. For pardon and deliverance from sin -- Ps 39:8; 51:1; 79:8. That we may be turned to God -- Ps 80:7; 85:4-6; Jer 31:18. For divine teaching and direction -- Job 34:32; Ps 27:11; 143:10. Fo”
- Matthew “Watch and pray, that you don’t enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” -- Matthew 26:41”
- Philippians “Philippians 1:23 (Geneva1599) — For I am distressed betweene both, desiring to be loosed and to be with Christ, which is best of all.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Afflictions Made Beneficial — In promoting the glory of God -- Joh 9:1-3; 11:3,4; 21:18,19. In exhibiting the power and faithfulness of God -- Ps 34:19,20; 2Co 4:8-11. In teaching us the will of God -- Ps 119:71; Isa 26:9; Mic 6:9. In turning us to God -- De 4:30,31; Ne 1:8,9; Ps 78:34; Isa 10:20,21; Ho 2:6,7. In keeping us from again departing from God -- Job 34:31,32; Isa 10:20; Eze 14:10,11. In leading us to seek God in prayer -- Jdj 4:3; Jer 31:18; La 2:17-19; Ho 5:14,15; Jon 2:1. In convincing us of sin -- Job 36:8,9; Ps 119:67; Lu 15:16-18. In leading us to con”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Communion With God — Is communion with the Father -- 1Jo 1:3. Is communion with the Son -- 1Co 1:9; 1Jo 1:3; Re 3:20. Is communion with the Holy Spirit -- 1Co 12:13; 2Co 13:14; Php 2:1. Reconciliation must precede -- Am 3:3. Holiness essential to -- 2Co 6:14-16. Promised to the obedient -- Joh 14:23. Saints Desire. -- Ps 42:1; Php 1:23. Have, in meditation. -- Ps 63:5,6. Have, in prayer. -- Php 4:6; Heb 4:16. Have, in the Lord's supper. -- 1Co 10:16. Should always enjoy. -- Ps 16:8; Joh 14:16-18. Exemplified Enoch. -- Ge 5:24. Noah. -- Ge 6:9. Abraham. -- Ge 18:33. J”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 2 (Gen 24-50), section 9.16: it is easy to untie the knot. For we do not fight against him, except by his own power, and with his own weapons; for he, having challenged us to this contest, at the same time furnishes us with means of resistance, so that he both fights against us and for us. In short, such is his apportioning of it is conflict, that, while he assails us with one hand, he defends us with the other; yea, inasmuch as he supplies us with more strength to resist than he employs in opposing us, we may truly and properly say, that he fights against u”
- Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 13:3: Remember them that are in bonds,.... Not for criminal actions, or for debt, though such should be remembered, and pity showed them, especially the latter; but such as are in bonds for the sake of Christ, and the Gospel. This has been often the lot of God's people, who should be remembered, by praying for them, sending comfortable letters to them, personally visiting them, and relieving them under their distresses: as bound with them; as if it were so, as if in the same condition, and circumstances; by sympathizing with them; by considering themselves liable to the ”
- Matthew (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Matthew 4:1: We have here the story of a famous duel, fought hand to hand, between Michael and the dragon, the Seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent, nay, the serpent himself; in which the seed of the woman suffers, being tempted, and so has his heel bruised; but the serpent is quite baffled in his temptations, and so has his head broken; and our Lord Jesus comes off a Conqueror, and so secures not only comfort, but conquest at last, to all his faithful followers. Concerning Christ's temptation, observe, I. The time when it happened: Then; there is an emphasis laid upo”
- Hebrews (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Hebrews 2:18: For in that he himself hath suffered - The maxim on which this verse is founded is the following: A state of suffering disposes persons to be compassionate, and those who endure most afflictions are they who feel most for others. The apostle argues that, among other causes, it was necessary that Jesus Christ should partake of human nature, exposed to trials, persecutions, and various sufferings, that he might the better feel for and be led to succor those who are afflicted and sorely tried. This sentiment is well expressed by a Roman poet: - Me quoque per multas s”
- Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 2:17: For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted,.... By Satan, at his entrance on his public ministry, and a little before his death; which was done, not by stirring up sin in him, for he had none, nor by putting any into him, which could not be done, nor could Satan get any advantage over him; he solicited him one thing and another, but in vain; though these temptations were very troublesome, and disagreeable, and abhorrent to the pure and holy nature of Christ, and so must be reckoned among his sufferings, or things by which he suffered: and as afflictions are s”
- Colossians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Colossians 3:1: The apostle, having described our privileges by Christ in the former part of the epistle, and our discharge from the yoke of the ceremonial law, comes here to press upon us our duty as inferred thence. Though we are made free from the obligation of the ceremonial law, it does not therefore follow that we may live as we list. We must walk the more closely with God in all the instances of evangelical obedience. He begins with exhorting them to set their hearts on heaven, and take them off from this world: If you then have risen with Christ. It is our privilege th”
- Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 6:13: And lead us not into temptation,.... Such a petition as this is often to be observed in the prayers of the Jews (a), , "do not lead me" neither into sin, nor into transgression and iniquity, , "nor into temptation", or "into the hands of temptation";'' that is, into the power of it, so as to be overcome by it, and sink under it; in which sense the phrase is to be understood here. We are not here taught to pray against temptations at all, or in any sense, for they are sometimes needful and useful; but that they may not have the power over us, and destroy us. There”