The word temptation, means “a desire or craving for something, especially something considered wrong”. It is “the act of tempting or the state of being tempted especially to do evil.” According to the Wikipedia, temptation is a desire to engage in short-term urges for enjoyment that threatens long-term goals. It also means sore afflictions, difficulties and perils, at the instance of satan the devil to induce people of God to deviate from their convictions. Temptations are tests of our faith in God Almighty. He, being holy and desirous of man’s holiness, does not tempt anyone; it is the devil who is the “tempter”. (Matthew 4:3,1; 1 Thessalonians 3:5) Apostle James stated, “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man.” – James 1:13.
The Christian’s success in overcoming sin and resisting temptation is dependent on and proportional to his or her diligence in learning, believing, and obeying the words of God as contained in the Holy Bible. Children of God should cultivate the Christian ethic of prayer, piety, moderation in all things, abstinence from wasteful consumptions, thrift or prudence in the use of resources, foresight in planning for the future, patience and so on. Jesus Christ said, “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” – Matthew 10:16.