By Rae Lynn DeAngelis
The devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8), but he’s not very creative with his tactics of deception. As a matter of fact, his temptations pretty much all fall under one of three categories: Comfort, Control, and Comparison. Name a temptation and I bet you could place it under the umbrella of one of these.
Although we are susceptible to all three of these Cs, most of us tend to be more vulnerable in one particular area over the others.
They say ignorance is bliss; but not in this case. Friends, we need to be self-aware when it comes to our personal areas of weakness. Why? The enemy has been watching us a very long time. He knows our area of weakness and sets traps for us all day long. Awareness is the first step to warding off the enemy’s probable attacks.
My church developed an online tool to help people identity where they gravitate most: Control, Comfort, or Comparison. Although some questions seemed a bit silly, I was surprised by the accuracy of my results. The test revealed that my greatest area of weakness is Comfort. I’ve come to realize that my personal comfort is a pretty big factor when I make day to day decisions. Here are just a few of the ways I see comfort playing a big role in my life:
- Physical pain? Get rid of it. Emotional pain? Numb it.
- Exercise? Ugh! So many reasons to avoid it! Too hot, too cold, out of breath, sore muscles, sweat.
- Pantry and refrigerator? Overflowing. You never know when a famine might hit.
- Sleep? Four mattresses in 16 years. Need I say more?
And it’s not just physical comfort that I gravitate towards. It’s also mental, spiritual, or relational comfort that I crave:
- I’m an introvert by nature, but when I’m in a situation where I have to be an extrovert (leading, speaking, socializing) I feel exhausted.
- I steer clear of conflict whenever possible.
- I don’t like it when my schedule is too busy because I need time alone to process.
I could go on and on, but I think you get the picture. These tendencies are not sin in and of themselves, but you could see how the enemy might try to use my tendencies to tempt me to sin:
- Trying to relieve pain could lead to addition.
- Avoiding exercise could lead to laziness.
- Stock piling food could lead to waste.
- Dodging conflict could lead to unforgiveness.
- Seeking alone time could lead to selfishness.
“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41).
Ever since I came to the realization that comfort is my biggest area of weakness, I make a conscious effort to lean into discomfort. When I do, the enemy’s deceptions and temptations are less effective. I have also found that I get the greatest comfort through my time alone with God. Daily time with Jesus is critical for my overall health.
I’m a work in progress. Sometimes I get it right. Sometimes I don’t. Human will doesn’t die easily, but it’s what we are called to do as Christians — die to self and live for Christ. “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). “Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23).
Progress not perfection. It’s a day to day battle to overcome our areas of weakness, but we are not in this battle alone. God is with us every step of the way.
I’ve said it before. On this side of heaven we will never be sinless. But hopefully we sin less than before.
So what about you? Take some time to process which area you’re most easily trapped by the enemy. Is it comfort like me? Or is it one of the others: control or comparison? Bring it before the Lord and ask Him to help you be more self-aware.
“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).
