The temptations and the experience of Paul of Tarsus

The theme temptation, very known in the spiritism, was discussed earlier in this same space. As mentioned above, according to the teaching spirit, no one on Earth is perfect, therefore we are all subject to the temptations that accompany us through life until we have full rule over them, which is why we cannot forget a single moment of our existence, this well-known lesson taught by Jesus: "Watch and pray lest ye enter into temptation."

If we do not have such idea present in our minds, continuously, no doubt that we could get back into the same networks that we have had succumbed in the past.

Whenever it comes to temptation, it comes to our mind the word obsession. It is common thinking that the temptation in the affects of influence of someone who knows a Spirit who wishes evil or being unhappy, wants us to see also unhappy.

This idea, however, is untrue. As Tiago has already warned in his extraordinary apostolic letter (1:14), "each one is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own lust." The word lust [from Latin concupiscentia] means intense desire for material goods and pleasures, sexual appetite.

No need, therefore, a man who brings to the actual existence of trends and inclinations grown in successive experiments by someone else. There are enough of their own disorders, which certainly was the reason that led to Kardec say that man is often obsessing himself.

The temptations, as we know, are not limited to the issue of sexual appetites. Some people cannot suppress the intense desire of gambling, just as there are people who cannot live away from alcohol or cigarettes.

The experiences reported by Paul of Tarsus in his letters can serve as a stimulus to those who wish to override the temptations that beset.

At one point in his life, he wrote to the Romans (7:15-20), Paul said: "I do not understand at all what I do, because I do not do what I want, I do what I hate." And later: "I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want. Now if I do what I do not want, that no longer is me doing it, but sin that dwells in me. "

The years passed and, thanks to their efforts in doing good and the maturity which the experience brought to Paul became so remarkable, as he himself said in his letter to the Galatians (2:20): "I am crucified with Christ and live, yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." 

Recall the experience of Paul, and before the erroneous thinking that surely harass us along the way, let us fix in our minds - beyond the "Watch and Pray" recommended by Jesus - that another important lesson was signed also by the Apostle of the Gentiles "All things are lawful, but not all things suit me. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything." (Corinthians Epistle, 6:12.)