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Tempted and Tried
- 04/26/11
- 13
We should not be surprised that we are tempted and tried. After all, if temptation existed in a perfect world, in a sinless world, how much more will it exist in a world that is full of sin. Even the best of us, or perhaps especially the best of us are far from immune. After all, Christ himself was tempted by the devil. These temptations form the structure within Russell Moore’s new book Tempted and Tried: Temptation and the Triumph of Christ.
Let me say from the outset that it took this book to show me what a talented writer Russell Moore is. I have read Adopted for Life and have followed his blog for several years. Yet I found myself surprised by just what a sharp, witty, insightful writer he is. And I mean that. I read and even enjoy quite a lot of books written by average or good writers. It was a genuine pleasure to read a book written by so talented an author.
What Moore seeks to do in this book is demonstrate how the ways in which Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness reveal strategies he will use to tempt all of us. He applies these lessons to contemporary situations, showing that Satan’s designs have not changed much and, in fact, have not had to change much. He and his minions have made a long and thorough study of human nature and are well-versed in our weaknesses. And so they continue to attack through temptation.
This is the point in the review where I guess I need to summarize the content of the book and then tell you why you need to buy it (or why you don’t need to buy it). In this case I consider Tempted and Tried nearly a must-read. I can’t imagine a person who wouldn’t benefit in some way. But rather than employ my usual pattern I thought I’d share what a few other people have said about the book. Why? Because this book left a deep personal impression upon me and I can see that it has done so with others. And I am intrigued by this.
Here is what one person said: “This book is realistic and honest about sin and evil, but more than anything it gloriously sets forth Jesus as the Devil-smashing Victor that he is.” Another one recommends, “Read it. Search your heart. Pray for grace. And join the fight.” Still another says that “struggling Saints everywhere need to read this book.” I agree entirely. Why? I can think of two reasons. The first is that we will all be tempted and we do well to learn how to identify and how to overcome temptation. The second is to learn that temptation is not a sin. There is great comfort in knowing that temptation is universal and not necessarily a sign of a sinful life.
So what can I say? Read this book. Read it for the good of your soul. I loved it and found immediate benefit in my life as evidenced, perhaps, by the fact that it has already generated a couple of articles here at the blog (An Image Naked Enough & Your Desires). Learn from Moore as teaches how Satan shapes his temptation and how it can be overcome through the power given to us through the cross of Christ.
You can buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books.
I am a follower of Jesus Christ, a husband to Aileen and a father to three young children. I worship and serve as a pastor at 
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Comments (13)
At the moment I am reading “Temptation of Christ” by Thomas Manton. It might be interesting to compare the two books and see how perspectives have changed. Manton’s book is a good read.
Thanks for the recommendation Tim! I haven’t read any of Moore’s books yet, but they are certainly on my list!
Just downloaded… now if all the beeps, bells, and blogs don’t distract… I’ll get started :)
Huh. I never really pictured Satan as a boa constrictor, somehow.
This may be off the wall and totally the wrong place - but a lot of writings and teachings are put out here - so here goes anyway. I read the reviews and the part that Amazon revealed in the first few pages and it sounds like a good book for me to read. As yet I know nothing of Dr. Moore.
And then I saw at the end of it all that Dr. Moore felt compelled to have Rick Warren and his PDL reputation endorse his work. And that gave me pause. It seems many are being deceived and few are finding the Gate - and seeing RW - just put red flags in front of Dr. Moore - whom I grant, know nothing of. But I do know I am just as vulnerable to being deceived as the millions of others who have no idea that they are. Should I just read the Bible and pray for the Holy spirit’s guidance alone - or do I need to be taught by men I do not know. Am I paranoid about this. I know people are criticized for idolizing preachers and writers. Am I just as bad by demonizing error teaching preachers and avoiding anything they are associated with? Why do good writers have to attach all the “Hollywood Christian” names to their books? If Dr. Moore had Dr. J MacArthur endorse his book, I would have received comfort, rather than fear. Is that being a hypocrite? Maybe all the academics don’t need to be worried about being led astray - but what about us lowly lay people who do not even understand (for instance) the language of post and pre-milinialist and the gravity of these positions. Am I too skeptical and too on-guard for my faith? But I can also stand to lose so much from not learning from those who are so much more learned than me. but maybe some people think Rob Bell is “leaned” too. Is there an answer to some of this (for a guy who is even having trouble finding a truly Bible teaching church). I think I remember Tim put out a questionaire of some kind asking folks what they thought of book endorsements. Thanks. Dave
“Satan’s designs have not changed much and, in fact, have not had to change much. He and his minions have made a long and thorough study of human nature and are well-versed in our weaknesses.”
Satan’s study of the contemporary church has revealed our love of comfort, convenience and control, and Dr. Moore addresses this particular temptation to unbelief about the blessing God says children are, and what he calls a ” Spirit of Pharoah” in his book “Adopted for Life.” Family Life Todayhas him as a guest on their program today, and you can read more of the trancript here: http://familylifetodaypdfs.s3.amazonaws.com/2011-04-25.pdf)
This is the Spirit of Pharoah, according to Dr. Moore:”When the children of Israel start having babies, in Exodus 1, that is Gods blessing. God calls that a blessing, even though they are slaves! They are economically deprived and they are in a horrible situation. But having children God sees as a blessing. Pharaoh sees it as an obstacle and is a burden to what he wants to do and so he ragesagainst it, just as Herod does later on. A lot of people in our culture really believe that children are a burden. And especially it seems to me, kind of upper Baby Boomers andolder will see children as being something that you are really being saddled with.”
We plan our families around our faith in our limited capacities, not on the exceeding beyond God is able to do. We listen to the hissing, “Hath God REALLY said….( more than 2.1) children are a blessing?” We pick and choose the parts of our bodies we will offer up as living sacrifices—we give .everything but that which goes forth and wants to multiply. Children are expensive trophies in the world, and the church is little different.
You can listen to Dr. Moore on Family Life Today. Resist the enemy’s lures to see children as burdens. Believe God, and just let the little ones come…especially as orphans.
Could you flesh out a trifle the “temptation is not a sin” observation, please?
Jesus, lacking a sin nature, never felt the temptation to steal, or molest a ten year old (of either sex), or any other sin. A desire to sin arises from our sin nature. Jesus never felt the slightest desire to sin.
Mind, there are certainly temptations that are not sinful!
But I’m uncomfortable with a blanket statement that “temptation is not a sin.”
Thank you for the review! It does sound like a valuable book, to be sure.
“Jesus never felt the slightest desire to sin.”
Heb 4: 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.
There’s also Matt: 4-1 (“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.”).
I think the disconnect we have with temptation vs. sin comes from our sinful natures often leaving no space at all between the temptation and the sin, at least in our thought life. The thoughts just….”appear”.
I’m almost done reading this, and I heartily agree with Tim and everyone else. It’s beautifully written, and very, very good medecine. I’ve reminded myself more than once in recent days - “I am not a freak.”
Just finished the book…and I agree…SO worth reading…something there for all of us.
Dave Like you, when I see an endorsement by the likes of Rick Warren, red flags go up. It isn’t necessarily that this particular book isn’t good, or that the author is guilty by association. However, by allowing an endorsement by Warren to help get the word out for this book, it can lead an undiscerning person to believe that Rick Warren must be someone worth reading. I am someone who doesn’t want to be overly critical; however I know from personal experience just how deceptive the teaching of people like Rick Warren can be. I fact I know of people who are otherwise very orthodox people who actually believe that people are wrong about Rick Warren and a few others like him. Our Church lost a few members because we dropped a missionary who is a big supporter of Rick Warren material.
Tom,
One theory might be that the goal of a Warren endorsement is to draw Warren’s audience - *not* out of a desire for more money, but a desire for those who read Warren to read much, much better stuff. And much less, well, Warren. :)
Dave, if it’s worth anything, I think it may be noted that in a lot of circles (mostly away from this blog), there are people that appreciate perhaps not the direct teachings of Rick Warren but the good rapport that Rick Warren has within evangelicals, and have a perception of John Macarthur being more vitriolic than supportive. And some people, get this, some smart, discerning, Bible-reading people actually think ol’ Johnny Mac does NOT have good teaching; his dispensationalism alone is good cause to raise eyebrows in many modern circles.
Now, I have close connection to Southern Seminary and I would imagine none of the above about John Macarthur is true - Moore is a close friend to Al Mohler and as far as I know he does not have any ill will to Macarthur. But, it still stands that this year’s SBC Pastor’s Conference (which Mohler and Moore both have little or zero jurisdiction over) invited Warren and not Macarthur to speak, which should give indication as to who is more appreciated in the broader parts of Baptists.
Finally, if we’re going to bring up “Hollywood” pastors, I think it also should be remembered that Grace Community Church is actually several miles closer to Hollywood than Saddleback is. ;)