Oblates of St. Francis de Sales

New DeSales World Newsletter - Summer Edition

Temptation

One of the late comedian Flip Wilson's most famous lines from the lips of his character Geraldine was, "The devil made me do it."

While not theologically sophisticated, it does touch upon our all-too human experience of temptation. Temptations are those urgings, feelings, thoughts, inclinations or impulses that invite us or entice us to do what is wrong, or to fail to do what is good.

Temptations make sin attractive to us. However, temptations themselves are not sinful unless we take delight in them or give into them. Temptations can actually be reminders of our need for God's grace and lead us to draw even more closely to a God who loves us, forgives us, redeems us and inspires us.

Truth is, "the devil" can't make us do anything: though weakened by the effects of original sin, the choice to commit sin - or practice virtue - remains ours to make.

"Even if temptation to any sin should last all our life,
it cannot make us displeasing to God
as long as we do not take pleasure in it
and do not yield to it."
(In 4 3)

"Note well that there is a difference between feeling
and consenting to temptation. We may still feel them
even though they displease us."
(In 4 3)

"As long as we are determined to
take no pleasure in temptations
we can never offend God."
(In 4 3)

"Even though we may be
troubled in our soul and body, we still
have the resolution never to consent to the sin
or the temptation."
(In 4 3)

"God allows great trials and temptations
only to those whom God wishes to raise to pure and excellent love."
(In 4 5)

"We have to resist great temptations with invincible courage,
and the victory which it brings is very profitable. But
perhaps we may be able to
gain even greater profit resisting small temptations."
(In 4 8)

"Just as the great temptations surpass the small in quality,
so the small surpass the great very much in number.
Hence, the victory over the small is comparable to that over the great."
(In 4 8)

"It may be very easy not to steal the goods of others, but
difficult to refrain from envy and covetousness.
It may be very easy not to bear false witness in a court of law but
Difficult not to tell lies in conversation."
(In 4 8)

"Little temptations to anger, suspicion, jealousy, envy,
flirtation, vanity, frivolity, duplicity, affectation, deceit,
unchaste thoughts - these are the trials which even the most
devout and resolute person
must constantly face."
(In 4 8)

"While being ready to fight courageously
against great temptations
when they come, we must defend ourselves
well and diligently against these little and feeble assaults."
(In 4 8)

"Little temptations can annoy us but never hurt us
as long as we are firmly resolved to serve God."
(In 4 9)

"Reflect sometimes on what are your
dominating temptations.
After discovering them, adopt a way of life contrary
To them in thoughts, words and deeds.
(In 4 10)