Fandango’s One-word Challenge this morning: TEMPTATION
Merriam-Webster says: tempt implies the presenting of an attraction so strong that it overcomes the restraints of conscience or better judgment.
This word automatically brings to mind the Bible verse:
“Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” — James 4:7
You don’t have to be a Bible scholar to understand that thought. Should some temptation sidle up beside you, if you turn your face resolutely and head in the opposite direction, you will much more easily overcome the thing than if you look its way — even if you’re arguing with it.
In another sense, temptation is like that proverbial rat the dog played with, then buried, but he left the tail hanging out “just in case.”
Oxford English Dictionary’s definition of temptation:
the desire to do something, especially something wrong or unwise.
We do occasionally use the word TEMPTATION in the less menacing sense. We feel a desire to do something, though there’s some question involved. As we face the New Year, the clean page, the sense of starting-over, a lot of us are tempted to make New Year’s Resolutions. I have.
Is this wise? Do you make New Year’s resolutions? Do you keep them? Would you advise a friend to make one, or to abandon the idea?
To be on the safe side, my resolutions are a January-only thing. I’m hoping once started I’ll develop enough momentum to carry them on from there. But for the month of January I’m resolved to:
—spend more time in the quest for physical fitness. (Read: diet and exercise!)
My arthritis is getting me down and I’m resolved to start fighting back
—deal with sewing projects that have lingered in the spare room closet too long
—post a haiku a day on my other blog, Tree Top Haiku
O-E-D defines RESOLVED as firmly determined to do something.
As I understand it, the success of a New Year’s resolution depends very little on the project contemplated, and almost entirely on the resolve of the individual. I know from past experience that the temptation to do something else will certainly come along and crook an inviting finger, just to test the strength of my resolve.
Which reminds me of a quote I just read yesterday: 🙂
Anyone can do any amount of work, provided it isn’t the work he is supposed to be doing at that moment.
—Robert Benchley
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