Temptations
TEMPTATIONS
Cl.
Mario D’Couto SDB
We
all go through temptations and human life seems to be characterized by this
struggle. Temptations, we could say, is actually a conflict of choices. It is like
for example, the doctor has told me not to eat sweets but whenever I look at
sweets, I feel tempted, that is to say, I am always confronted with the choice
of “Should I or should I not.” In this
sense, temptations always become a struggle between what one ought to do or to
be and one’s desires.
Sometimes
some people feel guilty when they experience temptations. They feel that
temptations should come only to the so-called “bad people.” As long as we are
human and we are living on this earth, temptations will continue to be a regular
feature in one’s life. There is nothing wrong about it. Temptations are not bad
in themselves. But giving into our temptations can be wrong. Of course, there
are different degrees of temptations and so to discuss about this topic would
be rather vast. However, one thing we should understand about temptations is
that, if it comes to us, it does not mean that God is angry with us but rather He
is giving us a chance to come closer to Him.
We
should thank God when we are tempted
because although apparently bad, temptations in some way make us spiritually strong
and I guess this is the brighter aspect of this particular phenomenon which we
can all appreciate.