Chapter 5: 2
The temptations of life and their types

There are many kinds of temptations a person could face; we shall meditate on some of them through our study of Lot’s life.

First: Materialistic temptations (Income and earning)
The main attraction that made Lot decide to separate from his uncle Abraham and go to Sodom, was that he looked up and saw that the whole plain of Jordan was well watered which meant that irrigation is provided; agriculture and feeding flock was better; thus, for the reason of big and quick profit, he decided to move.

In this field, a person might be exposed to strong pressures. Some people’s salary is not a fixed monthly salary, but depends on the number of hours they work. Thus the person works more hours to earn more money. Then the increase of profit is another lure for more and more work, which ends up with negative effects on health, family and marital life. The Holy bible has warned us saying: “He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house” (Proverbs 15:27)

There are also some people who hasten for richness, they go to various means to have fast wealth. They may adventure and endanger in unsafely ways as investing in stocks and speculate etc. Their ambition turns to greed which leaves them without joy and peace; the Holy Book said: “A faithful man will abound with blessings, but he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished” (Proverbs 28:20)
      
Second: Temptation of luxury (Lust ot the eyes)
The second attraction to Lot was that he saw Sodom and Gomorrah like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt. When he came down to Egypt he found the Egyptians living in houses and not tents; he saw the palaces of the pharaohs, their civilization, chariots and properties so he longed for having what they have. And when Lot lifted his eyes up and looked, he saw that Sodom and Gomorrah were the land that looked most like Egypt, so he had the strong desire to move to Sodom.

Every person is exposed also to strong pressures regarding possession and consumption. There is no limit as to what you can possibly possess. You may own a house but you still feel you could own a better one, and you may have a car but still you want to own a nicer one or a number of cars. The eye never has enough of seeing; therefore you find out that your life is shorter than what could your eye be satisfied with.

God has never prevented us from enjoying life, but this must be without losing our spiritual side of it or the plan that He has prepared for our lives.
That’s why the Holy Bible warns us in John’s first epistle saying: “Do not love the world or the things in the world.” (1 John 2:15). Also Apostle Paul describes those who think only in possessing earthly properties and neglecting the spiritual matters saying: “Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things” (Philippians 3:19).

Third: Temptations of sin and worldly life
Lot was bored from the tents, alters, and his uncle’s style of living, so when he looked at Sodom, he was dazzled from its brilliant lights, the style of life and means of entertainment it’s people has had, also the freedom and the civilization of the city. Therefore he described it as God’s Garden and he decided to move into there.

Sin exists everywhere in the world, and the whole world lies under the sway of the devil. The Holy Bible alerts us saying: “Having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (2 Peter 1:4).
There are some people who are tempted in the lust of the flesh; others have their emotions attracted to other than their spouses; some others are tempted in alcohol, drugs, gambling and other sins which are all available.

However, it’s not all who are exposed to the world’s temptations fall in them, for there are wonderful examples of people who were able to win the battle, like:
-Joseph who gained victory over the lust of the flesh.
-The three young men who refused to fall down and worship the gold image.
- Daniel who purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the world’s wine and delicacies.
-Nehemiah who declined the life of palaces and preferred to build the walls of Jerusalem.

Those are not the only ones who won the battle against world temptations; but we see every day and everywhere believers who, with God’s grace, are victorious over all life’s temptations; they became  wonderful testimonials for God through their achievements at their work and through their faithful life for God and their services for Him.

Dear reader, whatever the world’s temptations surrounding you are, trust that God in you, is stronger and greater than the world around you; for Jesus Christ has overcome the world and is able to let you overcome it; it’s He who said: “Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Victory is God’s promise, for all believers.
“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith” (1 John 5:4)

Magdy Samuel