I already commit all the rapes and thefts I want to commit. 0. If you actually want to rape/steal than you’re probably too far gone for Christ’s forgiveness anyways.
If you actually want to rape/steal than you’re probably too far gone for Christ’s forgiveness anyways.
Actually, at least in scripture, facing and resisting temptation is a virtue. There is a whole story about Jesus going into the desert to expose himself to the devil’s temptation just to flex his morally superior willpower.
On a Christian blues album I listened to as a kid, there was also a song (“Fireproof”, I think?) that has the devil tempt the narrator in various ways, with the result always being “Ain’t no way, devil: I’ve been washed in the blood of the lamb. Ain’t no use, I’m fireproof.”
It’s a whole theme. In the flavour I grew up with, there was this undercurrent of “we’re constantly fighting a spiritual war”, so facing temptation was a battle, and defying it a victory in that war.
Of course, that encouraged talking up the severity of the temptation you faced to make your victory look even greater, Caesar style: “Look at this strong, vicious adversary that the superior Roman Legions (under my command) overcame!” I’d credit that parish with many things, but excessive honesty is not among them.
Even better…
I already commit all the rapes and thefts I want to commit. 0. If you actually want to rape/steal than you’re probably too far gone for Christ’s forgiveness anyways.
Unfortunately they tell themselves that Jesus forgives all, so they don’t think they have to deal with consequences of their actions
100%
Actually, at least in scripture, facing and resisting temptation is a virtue. There is a whole story about Jesus going into the desert to expose himself to the devil’s temptation just to flex his morally superior willpower.
On a Christian blues album I listened to as a kid, there was also a song (“Fireproof”, I think?) that has the devil tempt the narrator in various ways, with the result always being “Ain’t no way, devil: I’ve been washed in the blood of the lamb. Ain’t no use, I’m fireproof.”
It’s a whole theme. In the flavour I grew up with, there was this undercurrent of “we’re constantly fighting a spiritual war”, so facing temptation was a battle, and defying it a victory in that war.
Of course, that encouraged talking up the severity of the temptation you faced to make your victory look even greater, Caesar style: “Look at this strong, vicious adversary that the superior Roman Legions (under my command) overcame!” I’d credit that parish with many things, but excessive honesty is not among them.
Shame about the album though, it was a banger.