In C.S. Lewis' classic The Screwtape Letters, we have an experienced demon Screwtape writing to an inexperienced demon Wormwood. Screwtape's objective is to train Wormwood how to effectively tempt and destroy humans...that is, how to separate them from God through sin. What makes this classic so genius and insightful, is Lewis' portrayal of how temptation works. Screwtape knows and teaches that not all humans fall for the same temptations. He instructs Wormwood to look for peculiarities, certains character flaws that would make a human susceptible to specific temptations. In other words, correlate the human's unique flaws with a specific temptation that addresses that flaw.

There's a lesson to be learned here...namely, we all have certain, peculiar, vulnerable, character and personality flaws that make us struggle with certain temptations. Where these “flaws” come from is sometimes hard to pin down. We all have them. It's part of the old sin nature (OSN) we inherit from the fall. It's part of that sinful “nature / nurture” inheritance we all have. The point of today's Truth Matters is not determining the “why,” but determining the “what.” We know we are weak sinners vulnerable to certain temptations, but the question is -- what do we do about it?

Today's My Utmost for His Highest addresses this issue:

“My disposition on the inside—that is, the makeup of my personality—determines what I am tempted by on the outside. The temptation fits the nature of the one tempted and reveals the possibilities of that nature. Each of us has our personal inclinations, but temptation itself is the common inheritance of humanity.

Am I baffled by temptation? Do I have trouble understanding whether the thing tempting me is right or wrong? This is normal, for a time. When I first begin my walk in faith, I may be tempted by things which are generally considered good, but which fall short of highest and best. Temptation promises a shortcut to what I seek, but it will never get me there. The key is to keep my sights firmly set on the highest—on God himself—and let what is merely good pass me by, however tempting it may be to follow it. Though God will not save me from temptation, he has promised to help me in its midst: “Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted” (Hebrews 2:18).”

When it comes to “temptation,” there is no “one size fits all.” Three important Truth Matters to keep in mind:
1) We must rely upon our study and meditation on God's Word to accurately reveal where our weak spots are. For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)
2) We must become “biblene.” It's one thing to be “biblical” and have knowledge and doctrine, but it's another thing to make God's Word the directive of our thinking and behavior. I have thought much about your words and stored them in my heart so that they would hold me back from sin. (Psalm 119:11 TLB)
3) We've got to take “the-bull-by-the-horns” and discipline ourselves not to succumb to those temptation thoughts, mind-sets or behaviors. But you, O man of God, flee from these things, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, gentleness. (1 Timothy 6:11).

My prayer for you and me this day is this: Lord, You know what it is to be tempted. You know how calculating, destructive and hateful our enemy Satan is. You know how much we need Your Word and Your power to defeat Him. We pray to You for righteous transparency and power to resist temptation and live holy, sanctified lives. Help us Lord. Glorify Yourself in us. Amen

Walk with the King today and be a blessing.