Don't Judge LeFou's Struggle
Being tempted to steal a lollipop is not a sin. Being tempted to cast yourself off of the temple to prove yourself to be the Son of God, if indeed you are the Son of God, is not a sin. Being attracted to a member of the same-sex is not a sin. It is detrimental to others and to ourselves to look down on someone based off of their specific struggles and temptations while turning a blind eye to our own.
Every individual who has ever lived upon this earth – even Jesus – has been and will be tempted in three different ways - the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16). All forms of sexual intercourse (intercourse = activity or involvement [1]) outside of the bond of marriage (i.e. “fornication") is a transgression of the commandments of God. “Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge” (Hebrews 13:4). Someone who is tempted to commit fornication by a member of the same-sex is just as guilty as someone who is tempted to commit fornication by a member of the opposite sex – and that guilt is nonexistent. Both individuals only become guilty when they fall for those desires either through continued entertainment of sexual thoughts or through performing the act itself. "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY.' (28) But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:27-28). Can you imagine the shock if someone spoke evil of Jesus because He was tempted in all three of the categories of temptations listed in 1 John 2:16? Jesus was tempted in all areas for a reason: “For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted” (Hebrews 2:18). “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). Why should we then judge someone because of what they are tempted by? Instead, we should be like Jesus and attempt to comfort and aid each other when times of temptation arise. Below we will further show the difference between sin and temptation. In a future article, we will define marriage and discuss the sin of fornication further, but that is not the purpose of this article.
THE TERMS DEFINED
When we survey the New Testament, we see that there are about four definitions of sin. The definitions and references are listed below
A transgression of God’s law (1 John 3:4)
Unrighteousness (1 John 5:17)
To offend one’s conscience (Romans 14:23)
To know to do good and to refuse to do it (James 4:17)
We’ve already seen the three categories of temptation, but to add to that, biblical temptation is defined as “a desire to commit sin.” Jesus was faced with those desires, as seen above, and yet the scriptures say, “Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth" (1 Peter 2:22). The point is that there is a difference between sin and temptation. This is true for alcoholics, homosexuals, kleptomaniacs, liars, fornicators, those who look at pornography, and every other manifestation of sinful desire. God does not judge an individual based off of what they are tempted by. Judgement only comes when one gives into that desire and continues in it without regard to repentance.
THE PROCESS OF SIN
“Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. (13) Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. (14) But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. (15) Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. (16) Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. (17) Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. (18) Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures” (James 1:12-18).
Before one ever sins and dies spiritually, they must first have a desire and be enticed by that desire. To be tempted to sin in some way is not to actually sin. One can be tempted and still make the decision to avoid ever sinning. This is can be seen in two different occasions of temptation in the Bible.
In Genesis 3, Eve was tempted to take of the forbidden fruit. The scripture says, “So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise…” (Genesis 3:6a) Up to this point, Eve had yet to sin. She could have decided to walk away and not to be overthrown by her own desires, but the Bible goes on and says, “…she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate” (Genesis 3:6b). In this moment, Adam and Eve sinned. God would, a few verses later, pronounce judgement upon them by removing them from the garden, and the promise of God came to pass: “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die” (Genesis 2:17). Adam and Eve died in the day that they allowed the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life to stand in between them and the Lord.
As seen in our quotation from James 1:12-18, it is not possible for God to be tempted by evil, so Jesus removed Himself from being equal with God by taking on the likeness of sinful flesh in order that He could be tempted (Romans 8:3). “Though he was in the form of God, he did not consider being equal to God something to be held on to, (7) but he emptied himself. He took the form of a slave, being made in the likeness of men, and, having been found in appearance as a man, (8) he humbled himself, and became obedient to death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:6-8; MEG). One of the clearer examples of this is the temptation in the wilderness in Matthew 4:1-11.
“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. (2) And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. (3) Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." (4) But He answered and said, "It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE BY BREAD ALONE, BUT BY EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS FROM THE MOUTH OF GOD.' " (5) Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, (6) and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: 'HE SHALL GIVE HIS ANGELS CHARGE OVER YOU,' and, IN THEIR HANDS THEY SHALL BEAR YOU UP, LEST YOU DASH YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.' " (7) Jesus said to him, "It is written again, 'YOU SHALL NOT TEMPT THE LORD YOUR GOD.' " (8) Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. (9) And he said to Him, "All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me." (10) Then Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! For it is written, 'YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND HIM ONLY YOU SHALL SERVE.' " (11) Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.”
Temptation does not exist where there is no desire. I am not tempted to murder or to fornicate with a member of the same sex because those are not desires that I have. There are other things that I am tempted by just like there are things that you may be tempted by, but it is not what we are tempted by that defines us. The issue is whether or not we choose the path of Adam and Eve, or of Jesus. The things that Jesus was tempted by were things that He desired, but He was able to overcome those temptations through reliance upon God. He allowed Himself to undergo those temptations in order that we can identify ourselves with Him in times of struggle as we saw in the Hebrews passages earlier. The Hebrews writer also said, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, (2) looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (3) For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls” (Hebrews 12:1-3).
CONCLUSION
We all have things that affect us more than others. Some struggle with sexual intercourse outside of the bond of marriage, others struggle with pornography, and some may be tempted to lie, cheat, or steal, but we should be willing, regardless of what is a temptation to us, to come together and support each other in a time of need. While we should never support one’s sin, we should support each other in our struggles. Paul said concerning all manner of sinners, “Who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them” (Romans 1:32). It is those who do the sin and those who support others’ sinful actions that are in the wrong. Paul did not condemn those who were simply tempted by the sins listed in Romans 1 because they still had the choice, like Jesus, to walk away from those desires. May we all strive to help and support each other regardless of what we are tempted by. May we also show grace towards those that do fall so that someone will help us up whenever it comes our time to stumble. Some say “don’t hate the sinner; hate the sin.” We also need to be careful to not hate the one who is being tempted because we just may push them to a point where they never want to return. Don’t judge LeFou’s struggle, but help him to set his affections on things above (Colossians 3:1ff).
[1] For a discussion of the etymology of the word ‘intercourse’ please see pages 25 and following of Samuel G. Dawson’s Marriage, Divorce, & Remarriage: The Uniform Teaching of Moses, Jesus & Paul (Gospel Theme Press, 2002).