As an element in character-building, many people might easily consider that temptation had no place and might desire to avoid anything of that nature, and yet it is without doubt one of the greatest elements in character-building. Therefore if I seem to enter into the matter at some length, it is because I feel the necessity of showing the influence it has upon our every-day life. William Penn has said, "God is better served in resisting a temptation to evil than in many formal prayers."

In the Lord's prayer, we read, "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."

Whether or no the Master ever used the words, "Lead us not into temptation," the fact stands preeminent that temptation as a means of growth is necessary in the life of man.

We are told that Jesus was tempted and tried like as we are, and it would seem that such temptation had for its purpose the perfecting of His own life, as well as the presenting of an ideal which would prove helpful to all who would follow in His footsteps. The sin does not consist in one's being tempted, but in entertaining the temptation and allowing it to fasten itself in one's mind until at last it finds expression in word or act.

The above passage, from the Lord's Prayer, would convey to the mind the thought of God as tempting or leading us into temptation, while in the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness the devil or adversary was the one that tempted. We are also told in the Scriptures not to say we are tempted of God, for God tempts no man. No matter how the passage may read, we are led to believe that the thought would be better exprest, "Leave us not in temptation" - that is, in our hour of trial, God's spirit be with us, causing us to rise above trial and temptation, delivering us from the evil of wrong-doing.

Throughout life we are encompassed by temptation, so that there is no time when we are not obliged to choose between a lesser and a greater good. As we meet and overcome each temptation in life we are strengthened; each temptation put under foot brings with it the ability to meet and overcome still greater things. Temptation is rooted in selfishness and there is no temptation apart from it. By overcoming the personal self and rising into the universal Self-hood, we are freed from its influence. It is not the spirit of God that tempts us, but it is the carnal mind, the mind of the world. The spirit of God is with us to lead us out of all temptation.

On all planes of consciousness temptation is active, but it is more subtle on the higher planes. On the physical plane the appeal comes to man through his sense-nature - the things that are pleasing to the eye and the things that are good for food. All these are good in their relative places, but when a universal good is subordinated to a selfish end, the wilful perversion becomes a source of evil.

It must not be understood that the sense-nature of man is evil in itself; the senses are not the arbiters of one's actions, but convey to the mind reports of objective phenomena. The mind acting on these impressions received, determines the course to be followed, be it beneficial or otherwise. Temptations on the lower plane can be clearly defined, having to do solely with things of a purely physical nature; and with temperance and moderation - refraining from excess in all things - and with thoughtful consideration for the welfare of others, man overcomes temptation, thereby strengthening his own character.

An entirely different phase of temptation is that which comes to a man in the desire to be praised by men, and here the perversion of his highest development often occurs in order to gratify the vanity of the mind. Pride, envy, and jealousy are among the enemies to be met and conquered. We can not so easily define the temptations on this plane as on the plane below, for their name is legion. It is possible, however, to determine whether an action is right or wrong by its effect on ourselves and others. Anything that confers a real personal good can not bring in its train an evil effect on some other life. Every good thought and every good deed have their centers in individual life, but in their actual working out they must bless the lives of many; but what works an injury to the many can bring no good to the individual. Every time one foregoes a selfish desire and generously gives unto others of his fulness, life becomes easier, and the temptation of that desire ceases to vex and trouble the life.

More subtle and far-reaching are the temptations which come to man through the desire for riches and power. In the pursuit of riches man loses sight of the more vital meanings of life, and the Master was quite right in saying that it was harder for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven than for a camel to enter the eye of the needle.

When one is tempted by the desire for wealth, the love of it entering the mind displaces the higher love which would work for the welfare of humanity. Great wealth is seldom, if ever, a blessing, the responsibilities it brings are rarely fulfilled, and the law holds here, as well as in all things, "To whom much is given of him much shall be required." Very often wealth serves to develop the love of power over men, making its possessor a tyrant, depriving others not only of their worldly goods, but their mental freedom as well. Many seeking to find justification for the possession of great wealth, recount the good done by rich men; how much money they give to the support of charitable institutions, libraries, and schools for the education of the masses, as tho this were enough in itself to offset all the misery and suffering caused to the many by the vast accumulation for the benefit of the one. There is a temptation even in giving, for the ostentation which brings the giver prominently before the public gratifies his pride, in that men speak well of him.

In summing up the whole matter, we would say that under one of three heads comes every temptation which presents itself in life: the appeal to the sense-nature; desire for the praise of men; love of riches and the worldly power that riches give.

We know how the Master met all these temptations. "Command that these stones be made bread," was answered, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." "Cast thyself down" (from the pinnacle of the temple), and the answer was, "Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God."

When riches and power were within the Master's grasp he said, "Thou shalt worship the Lord, thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve."

When we read that Jesus was tempted and tried like as we are, yet without sin, this story of the temptation in the wilderness shows that every possible temptation was offered and was overcome by the affirmation of man's true relation to God. There is a bread of life more essential to man than the bread which sustains his physical body. Man should never prostitute his God-given powers to win the praise of men. Riches and power should never tempt one from his allegiance and service to God.