Sanctification and the Struggle with Temptation in Christian Life
Sanctification is the process by which a believer is set apart for God's service and progressively made holy [2]. It is more than a mere moral reformation; it is the work of the Holy Spirit bringing the entire person under the influence of new, gracious principles implanted during regeneration [1]. This work extends to the whole individual, encompassing their thoughts, actions, and desires [1]. The will of God for believers is their sanctification [11].
The Bible indicates that sanctification is effected by God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit [2]. Specifically, it is the special office of the Holy Spirit to carry on this work [1]. Christ is made sanctification to believers [2], and the atonement of Christ is instrumental in this process [2]. The Word of God also plays a crucial role in sanctification, as Jesus prayed for His followers to be sanctified in truth, with His word being truth [2].
While sanctification is a divine work, believers are called to participate in it, which includes the mortification of sin [2]. This ongoing process often involves a struggle with temptation. Temptation, according to James 1:13, does not originate from God but rather from one's own lusts [3]. The devil is also identified as an author of temptation [3]. Temptations can arise from various sources, including poverty, prosperity, worldly glory, and even evil associates [3].
Despite the presence of temptation, believers are assured that God is faithful and will not allow them to be tempted beyond what they are able to bear. He will also provide a way of escape so that they can endure it [4, 7]. Enduring temptation is considered a blessed act, leading to the "crown of life" for those who are approved [5]. Jesus himself suffered being tempted, though without sin, which means he can sympathize with those who are tempted [10].
Believers are exhorted to "watch and pray" to avoid entering into temptation, acknowledging that "the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak" [6]. This highlights the need for self-denial, which involves denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, controlling appetites, and abstaining from fleshly desires [8]. The apostle Paul, in Romans 6, emphasizes that justification by faith does not lead to continuing in sin, but rather necessitates sanctification and a holy life as an inseparable fruit of that justification [9, 12].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Sanctification — Involves more than a mere moral reformation of character, brought about by the power of the truth: it is the work of the Holy Spirit bringing the whole nature more and more under the influences of the new gracious principles implanted in the soul in regeneration. In other words, sanctification is the carrying on to perfection the work begun in regeneration, and it extends to the whole man (Rom. 6:13; 2 Cor. 4:6; Col. 3:10; 1 John 4:7; 1 Cor. 6:19). It is the special office of the Holy Spirit in the plan of redemption to carry on this work (1 Cor. 6:1”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Sanctification — Is separation to the service of God -- Ps 4:3; 2Co 6:17. Effected by God. -- Eze 37:28; 1Th 5:23; Jude 1:1. Christ. -- Heb 2:11; 13:12. The Holy Spirit. -- Ro 15:16; 1Co 6:11. In Christ -- 1Co 1:2. Through the atonement of Christ -- Heb 10:10; 13:12. Through the word of God -- Joh 17:17,19; Eph 5:26. Christ made, of God, to us -- 1Co 1:30. Saints elected to salvation through -- 2Th 2:13; 1Pe 1:2. All saints are in a state of -- Ac 20:32; 26:18; 1Co 6:11. The Church made glorious by -- Eph 5:26,27. Should lead to Mortification of sin. -- 1Th 4:3,4. Ho”
- 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”
- 1 Corinthians “No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. -- 1 Corinthians 10:13”
- James “Blessed is the man who endures temptation, for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to those who love him. -- James 1:12”
- Matthew “Watch and pray, that you don’t enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” -- Matthew 26:41”
- I Corinthians “I Corinthians 10:13 (LEB) — Temptation has not come upon you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful, who will not permit you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but will also make a way out together with the temptation, so that you may be able to endure it.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Denial — Christ set an example of -- Mt 4:8-10; 8:20; Joh 6:38; Ro 15:3; Php 2:6-8. A test of devotedness to Christ -- Mt 10:37,38; Lu 9:23,24. Necessary In following Christ. -- Lu 14:27-33. In the warfare of saints. -- 2Ti 2:4. To the triumph of saints. -- 1Co 9:25-27. Ministers especially called to exercise -- 2Co 6:4,5. Should be exercised in Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. -- Ro 6:12; Tit 2:12. Controlling the appetite. -- Pr 23:2. Abstaining from fleshly lusts. -- 1Pe 2:11. No longer living to lusts of men. -- 1Pe 4:2. Mortifying sinful lusts. -- Mr ”
- Romans (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Romans 6:1: The apostle's transition, which joins this discourse with the former, is observable: "What shall we say then? Rom 6:1. What use shall we make of this sweet and comfortable doctrine? Shall we do evil that good may come, as some say we do? Rom 3:8. Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Shall we hence take encouragement to sin with so much the more boldness, because the more sin we commit the more will the grace of God be magnified in our pardon? Is this a use to be made of it?" No, it is an abuse, and the apostle startles at the thought of it (Rom 6:2): "Go”
- 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”
- 1 Thessalonians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Thessalonians 4:3: For this is the will of God, even your sanctification,.... Which is another reason to enforce the above exhortation. "Sanctification" is internal or external. Internal sanctification is the work of the Spirit of God, and is a principle of spiritual life in the soul, a divine and spiritual light in the understanding, a flexion of the will to the will of God, and a settlement of the affections on divine things, and is an implantation of every grace in the heart. External sanctification arises from this, and lies in holiness of life and conversation; and is what ”
- Romans (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Romans 6 (introduction): The apostle having at large asserted, opened, and proved, the great doctrine of justification by faith, for fear lest any should suck poison out of that sweet flower, and turn that grace of God into wantonness and licentiousness, he, with a like zeal, copiousness of expression, and cogency of argument, presses the absolute necessity of sanctification and a holy life, as the inseparable fruit and companion of justification; for, wherever Jesus Christ is made of God unto any soul righteousness, he is made of God unto that soul sanctification, Co1 1:30. T”