Msg Base:  AREA 3  - ASK FATHER (AMDG)
  Msg No: 179.  Fri 12-11-92 20:04  (NO KILL)
    From: Father Mateo
      To: David Allen
 Subject: irresistible temptation

DA|Dear Father Mateo,
 
DA| Regarding the commission of certain social and
  |personal sins, some people today have the view
  |that such sins are uncontrollable, and beyond
  |the ability of the participants to avoid, and
  |therefore, we cannot judge their deeds as wrong
  |and unacceptable.
 
DA| But I was taught that God never allows the devil
  |to tempt us beyond our ability to resist the tempt-
  |ation, that we can resist any temptation that comes;
  |otherwise, God wouldn't allow the devil to tempt us.
  |The reason we are allowed to be tempted is that we
  |are being tested, in order to prove to God that we
  |love Him, that we are willing to keep His moral law.
 
DA| Would you please state for me and other readers the
  |reason for an all-knowing God, Who sends us tests,
  |knowing ahead of time whether we would succeed or fail?
 
DA|Thank you, Father.
 
Dear David,
 
We may never judge another person's inward dispositions, (unless, of
course, he has in confidence revealed himself to us.)  But we can and
we often must judge his exterior actions to be objectively wrong and
reprehensible. And often individuals and society must act to restrain
others' actions that threaten ourselves and others.
 
Scripture teaches: "God is faithful and will not permit you to be
tempted beyond your strength, but with temptation will also give you
a way out that you may be able to bear it" (1 Cor. 10:13).  God's
promise to St. Paul is meant for all the rest of us, too: "My grace
is sufficient for you, for strength is made perfect in weakness" (2
Cor. 12:9).
 
God does not tempt us: "Let no one say when he is tempted by God; for
God is no tempter to evil, and he himself tempts no one.  But everyone
is tempted by being drawn away and enticed by his own passion.  Then
when passion has conceived, it brings forth sin" (James 1:13-15).
 
Of course, we do not need to "prove to God" that we love Him.  It is
God who gives us the grace to love Him.  We then cooperate with His
grace, or we reject it.  God does not know anything "ahead of time".
We are in time -- time is the matrix of creatures.  God lives outside of
and independent of time.  The whole of history and creation is before
His gaze.  He lives in an eternal now.
 
Temptations are an opportunity for us to grow in grace and holiness,
to achieve the spiritual perfection to which God calls us: "Esteem it
all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the trying of
your faith begets patience.  And let patience have its perfect work
that you may be perfect and entire, lacking nothing" (James 1:2-4).
 
                                        Sincerely in Christ,
                                                Father Mateo
 
 
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