Temptation

The word temptation has a negative connotation. To be tempted is to be attracted or to be persuaded to do something that is seemingly pleasant but may be harmful, unwise or immoral. The appeal of ‘forbidden a fruit has always been strong and somehow it can be difficult not to yield to moments of temptation.

Temptation shows no discrimination for everyone can and will be tempted in one way or another throughout our lives. It is during such moments that our principles and values in life are challenged and through our respective responses, our characters revealed. Temptations come in different forms and in different degrees of seriousness.

As a student, the most popular temptation is that of being distracted in my studies. I have often wanted to concentrate on my studies for a specific period of time but somehow distractions of various kinds tempted me to neglect my studies. It can be a real struggle to overcome the temptation of not watching a popular film show with my friends on the eve of a test, not to watch a favorite television program when there is lots of school work to be done or even stop talking endlessly over the phone for hours at the expense of neglecting my studies. During exams, temptations to cheat or feign illness do arise among certain students.

For a working adult, one may yield to the temptation of purchasing food, clothes or even shoes when there is no necessity to do so. Somehow, such people fall prey to the gimmicks of sales and become guilty over self-indulgence. The more subtle form of temptation may deal with ethical issues arising from their work where one’s integrity could be tested. Temptations to lie, to blame others, to be lazy and shoddy in work are definitely present in the working world.

As mentioned earlier, certain temptations are morally linked and upon yielding to them, the turn of events in one’s life can be tragic. People are sometimes tempted to drink, smoke, and engage in empty talk and gossip during their leisure times. Other more serious temptations such as getting involved in extra-marital affairs, in illicit trade in drugs so as to earn some fortune overnight, rob and kill innocent victims are examples of temptations that lead to dire consequences. Yielding to other temptations including watching blue films, reading and admiring pornographic materials only encourage the development of a corrupted, polluted and perverted mind.

Victims of such serious temptations sometimes defend themselves by claiming to have weak will power and that they are pressurized to yield to such temptations. Personally, I see them as lame excuses for each of us is accountable for our own actions. Such people should deliberately break away from such evil influences before they are drawn into committing greater evils in life later on. Therefore, we should exercise our choice carefully in confronting with temptations.

Here is a funny video on temptation of kids “ The Marshallow Test ” :