TEMPTATION

A man once watched an Indian preparing a snare with which to catch a wild animal. He was surprised to learn that the Indian never sprang the trap or pulled the noose the first time the animal appeared.
 
Instead of that, he would let it come repeatedly & feed where the trap was & then, when it had become bold & thoroughly familiar with the surroundings, he would set the trap so that the next time it came the animal would be caught in the snare.
 
That is the way temptation works. It does not drive its shaft into the heart of its victim at first, but deceives it & lures it on; and then the fatal blow is delivered.
 
- (moreillustrations.com)
 
1 Cor 10:13 (ERV): “The only temptations that you have are the same temptations that all people have. But you can trust God. He will not let you be tempted more than you can bear. But when you are tempted, God will also give you a way to escape that temptation. Then you will be able to endure it.”
 
“To be tempted is in itself no sin. It is the yielding to the temptation, and giving it a place in our hearts, which we must fear.” -  J.C. Ryle.