“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” (James 1:12)
There are many reasons to withstand temptations to sin. Every temptation comes with the promise of some benefit; but nothing could be further from the truth. Sin brings evil and destruction to our lives. Sin keeps good away from us. From the perspective of what is in our own best interest, sin invites self-ruin. The wisdom of God can only say: “But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death” (Prov. 8:36).
But beyond the pragmatism of resisting temptation for one’s own sake, there is another, even better reason to say no to sin. Temptation provides us with the opportunity to show God that we love Him. What Adam and Eve didn’t do in Eden; Jesus did in the wilderness. When the devil would tantalize us with all this world has to offer, the lover of God says, “Get thee behind me, Satan!” By standing our ground in the sorest temptation we declare that we love God more than anything or anyone else, including ourselves.
Misery, shame, and death are sin’s reward. God promises a crown of life to those who stand in the evil day. Such a stand is only accomplished in those who declare their love for Him when the fire is hottest.