Choosing what is right over what is easy
THROUGH UNTRUE
It is a mistake to think that the devil tempts us to commit only grave sins. In reality, the devil often seduces us to indulge in seemingly harmless pleasures that later develop into full-blown addictions. The devil also tempts us to feel virtuous, holy, or morally superior to others, blinding us to our own sins and flaws. Worst of all, he entices us to settle for an easy, entitled life, turning us into prisoners of privilege and comfort.
To be fair, temptations do not come solely from the devil. They also arise from within us. St. James writes, "Temptation comes from our desires, which entice us and lead to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it results in death" (James 1:14-15).
Dealing with temptations is a daily struggle, which is why we often echo St. Paul's lament: "I don't really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead, I do what is wrong" (Romans 7:15). Many of us resolve this inner conflict by simply yielding to temptations, closing our eyes to their lethal consequences.
Today's Gospel reading reveals that even Jesus Himself experienced temptation (Mark 1:12-15). He allowed this to happen for three reasons. First, Jesus wanted to show us that no one is exempt from temptation. He encourages us to develop empathy for others and grow in forgiveness and compassion. As the author of the Letter to the Hebrews (4:15-16) writes: "We have Jesus, our high priest, who can empathize with our weaknesses, for He has been tempted in every way, just as we are."
However, the passage concludes with the words, "Yet He did not sin," which brings us to the second reason for Jesus's temptation. He sought to demonstrate that temptation is not inherently sinful. It becomes a sin when we succumb to it. All of us face temptation, but we have the power to resist it. St. Paul writes: "God is faithful. He will not allow you to be tempted beyond your strength. In His kindness, He will show you a way out so that you can endure and overcome it" (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Finally, Jesus allowed Himself to be tempted to demonstrate that temptations can challenge us to become persons of courage and integrity: Courage because temptations dare us to deny immediate gratification for the sake of a greater purpose or long-term benefit. And integrity because temptations urge us to stand by our moral principles, even when no one is watching.
A few years ago, when CCTV cameras were not yet standard in many buildings, a UST student went to withdraw money from an ATM at a nearby bank. It was almost 9 p.m., but she felt safe because there was no one else around. Before inserting her card, she noticed 10,000 pesos in the machine's cash dispenser. The machine must have dispensed the cash after the previous customer left. She took the money and went home. The following day, she promptly returned the money to the bank's teller, who asked, "Nobody would have known that you took the money. Why are you returning it?" She replied, "It is not mine."
There was also a story about a taxi driver who returned a bag containing nearly a million pesos, a cell phone, jewelry, and other important documents to an OFW who had left the bag in the taxi. When questioned by the police, the driver responded: "It is a sin to steal. I would rather sleep in peace than with a troubled conscience."
When tempted, we can choose to do what is right instead of what is easy. While the easy path may offer immediate satisfaction, it often leads to regret, guilt, and shame. Resisting temptations strengthens our integrity, aligns our actions with our values, builds self-respect, and leads to a more meaningful and fulfilling life.