The Upside of Adversity, Chapter 6

The 2nd of a four chapter section on tests in The Upside of Adversity is chapter 6, titled Test No. 2: The Integrity Test, which deals with temptation. Here are some things that I highlighted in this chapter.

“This is a test that is especially difficult in our sex-and greed-saturated society, but one that we must all pass successfully in order to be used greatly by God. We live in a fallen world, and sometimes the righteous pay a high price for their integrity—but that’s what the Integrity Test is all about. Before God elevates us to a positionof leadership, He wants us to prove that we are willing to pay the price for doing His will.”

“This is a battle—and our enemy doesn’t play fair. In fact, we face three enemies—two enemies without and an enemy within: the world, the flesh and the devil. The world and the devil are the enemies without and the flesh is the enemy within.” 

“The World is the culture around us—the godless business system, the immoral arts and entertainment system, our worldly peers, and so forth. The devil is a spiritual adversary who seeks to destroy us. He is at war with God, and our soul is the battlefield. The flesh is that complex array of natural drives and appetites that have become distorted because of our fallenness as children of Adam and Eve.” 

Satan continually whispers to us, “Yield. Give in. You deserve it. It’s only natural to want it.” Yet we must be watchful especially in the beginning of the temptation; for the enemy is then more easily overcome, if he is not suffered to enter the door of our hearts, but is resisted without the gate at his first knock.

“It’s not a sin to be tempted. It’s only a sin to give in to temptation. We can pass the Integrity Test. We just need a strategy for defeating temptation when it comes our way.” 

Here is a seven step strategy from this chapter on how to pass the Integrity Test. 

Step 1: Start with a commitment

Step 2: Share your commitment with another person

Step 3: Be aware of the stress that triggers temptation

Step 4: Flee temptation; never compromise or flirt with sin

Step 5: Remember the terrible cost of sin

Step 6: Meditate on God’s Word

Step 7: Put on the armor of God

May God give us the grace and strength to withstand the Integrity Test so that He can use us in mighty ways.