The word temptation is prominent in the Bible but isn’t usually the real problem; except for those who have weak will-power. The first step in solving any problem is determining what is the true problem. Problems spur off many symptoms, which can be just as bad as the problem itself. No matter how smart you are, how rich you are, or how powerful you are; until you know the real problem, it cannot be fixed.
As our creator, God, knows our unique strengths and he understands our communal weaknesses. He knows, not if but when, we succumb to various temptations, our actions will cause problems that will threaten our relationship with family, neighbors, and could ultimately sever our connection with Him; which is never good for us.
Temptation, in and of itself, is not bad unless it is you that knows the truth and you intentionally lead other away from it. To cause others to turn away from God is a mortal sin. We can and continually do overcome many temptations; it acts as a strengthening element to our character; however, it is best if we can learn to avoid temptation altogether. To do this we must first recognize what it is and why it happens. The “what” is driven by the three motivators of human nature; our desire to increase pleasure, decrease pain, and to have the power to benefit those to whom we love. You will notice that these three motivators are not inherently bad but when we are tempted to err solely to please ourself, at the detriment of others and our God it becomes a problem. A very good clue that we might be making a poor decision is when the solution we choose is exclusively good for “me”. The impact on God and Neighbor is not even in our thought process. The only entity we consider at the very moment we lose the battle with temptation is Self. Many people fail to realize that selfishness can also be plural. If I belong to a group, decisions only good for my group are selfish in nature as well; yes, even if the group does good work for some.
Why do we do this?
It’s instinctual to some extent. Selfishness, can be protective but when it is not, it has three identities; the root of all man-made problems. These manifestations offer us the reasoning behind our selfish acts, Self-indulgence, Uncontrolled Desires, and Self-importance. Remarkably, they are the same three branches the devil used to tempt Eve in the garden of Eden and Jesus in the desert. They have always been with us and will be with mankind until the very end of creation.
Since it is a man-made problem, why can’t we find a solution and fix it permanently?
We have and we can, but because we each have our own free will, it must be accomplished individually. To be done communally, requires individual recognition, desire, and ongoing effort as a group in order for society to achieve the collective solution. Through the Power of the Wisdom of Three, Jesus provided us lasting instructions that teach us how to preserve balance in our life, obtain peace on earth, and eternal happiness. When a person loves God, neighbor, and themselves equally the person will never be drawn into a sinful or wrongful act. No more racism, no murder, no police brutality, no bigotry and no lies. Only three ingredients in equal measure; so easy yet so hard: Love of God, Love of Neighbor, and Love of Self. This is the basis of our Christian faith and the clarified law of every society. It is also evidence that as a Solutionary, Jesus understood that Adam and Eve’s sin of Selfishness was the one true problem of the human race and had to be erased by His Selfless exampleof love while he walked the earth, His innocent death on a cross, and His resurrection to Eternal life.
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
“Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matt 22:36
If this is my last post, I want all to know, there was only one purpose for all that I have written; to have made a positive difference in the lives of others.
Anthony “Tony” Boquet, the author of “The Bloodline of Wisdom, The Awakening of a Modern Solutionary” and the soon to be released “The Power of the Wisdom of Three”
