Topical Encyclopedia In the Christian faith, the concept of temptation is a significant theme, particularly concerning those who profess belief but lack genuine commitment. The Bible warns that mere professors—those who outwardly claim faith but do not possess true spiritual depth—are susceptible to falling away when faced with trials and temptations.The Parable of the Sower, as recounted in the Gospel of Luke, provides a poignant illustration of this phenomenon. Jesus describes various types of soil representing the hearts of those who hear the Word of God. In Luke 8:13 , He explains, "The seeds on rocky ground are those who hear the word and receive it with joy, but they have no root. They believe for a season but fall away in the time of testing." This passage highlights the superficial nature of mere professors, who may initially respond positively to the gospel but lack the depth necessary to withstand trials. The Epistle to the Hebrews further addresses the danger of falling away. Hebrews 6:4-6 warns, "It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age—and then have fallen away—to be restored to repentance, because they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting Him to open shame." This passage underscores the severity of apostasy and the peril faced by those who merely profess faith without true conversion. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, also cautions against the perils of superficial faith. In 2 Timothy 4:3-4 , he writes, "For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." This admonition reflects the tendency of mere professors to seek teachings that align with their desires rather than adhering to the truth of the gospel, leading to their eventual falling away. The Apostle John, in his first epistle, provides insight into the nature of those who fall away. In 1 John 2:19 , he states, "They went out from us, but they did not belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. But their departure made it clear that none of them belonged to us." This verse suggests that those who fall away were never truly part of the faith community, as their departure reveals their lack of genuine belief. The New Testament consistently emphasizes the importance of perseverance and genuine faith. James 1:12 offers encouragement, stating, "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him." This promise serves as a reminder that true believers, unlike mere professors, will endure through trials and receive eternal rewards. In summary, the Bible presents a clear warning about the dangers of being a mere professor of faith. Those who lack genuine commitment are vulnerable to falling away when faced with temptation and trials. The scriptures call for a deep, abiding faith that withstands the tests of life, distinguishing true believers from those who only superficially embrace the gospel. Torrey's Topical Textbook Luke 8:13They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library The Confession of the Society of Friends, Commonly Called Quakers. ... Some General Uses from this Useful Truth, that Christ is the Truth ... Self-Humbling and Self-Searching Entangled in the Land Enduring to the End Nothing but Leaves A Solemn Warning for all Churches Perseverance Proved. Comfort for the Desponding The Leafless Tree Resources Is temptation a sin? Is it a sin to be tempted? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to flee from temptation? | GotQuestions.org Why is sexual temptation a bigger problem for men than for women? | GotQuestions.org Temptation: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Temptation: Abraham Leads Pharaoh Temptation: Always Conformable to the Nature of Man Temptation: Balak Tempts Balaam Temptation: Blessedness of Those Who Meet and Overcome Temptation: Christ is Able to Help Those Under Temptation: Christ Keeps Faithful Saints from the Hour of Temptation: Christ: Endured, from the Devil Temptation: Christ: Endured, from the Wicked Temptation: Christ: Intercedes for his People Under Temptation: Christ: Resisted by the Word of God Temptation: Christ: Sympathises With Those Under Temptation: Comes From: Covetousness Temptation: Does not Come from God Temptation: Evil Associates, the Instruments of Temptation: General Scriptures Concerning Temptation: Gideon Leads the People of Israel Into Sin Temptation: God Cannot be the Subject of Temptation: God Enables the Saints to Bear Temptation: God Knows How to Deliver Saints out of Temptation: God Will Make a Way for Saints to Escape out of Temptation: God Will not Suffer Saints to be Exposed To, Beyond Their Temptation: Has Strength Through the Weakness of the Flesh Temptation: Jeroboam Leads the Northern Kingdom (Israel) Into Temptation: Leading Into: Prayer Against Being Led Into Temptation: Mere Professors Fall Away in Time of Temptation: Often Arises Through: Poverty Temptation: Often Arises Through: Prosperity Temptation: Often Arises Through: Worldly Glory Temptation: Often Ends in Sin and Perdition Temptation: Often Strengthened by the Perversion of God's Word Temptation: Permitted As a Trial of Disinterestedness Temptation: Permitted As a Trial of Faith Temptation: Saints May be in Heaviness Through Temptation: Saints should Avoid the Way of Temptation: Saints should not to Occasion, to Others Temptation: Saints should Pray to be Kept From Temptation: Saints should Resist, in Faith Temptation: Saints should Restore Those Overcome By Temptation: Saints should Watch Against Temptation: The Devil is the Author of Temptation: The Devil Will Renew Temptation: The Old Prophet of Beth-El, the Prophet of Judah Temptation: To Distrust of God's Providence Temptation: To Worshipping the God of This World Temptation: Yielding to Adam and Eve Temptation: Yielding to Balaam Temptation: Yielding to David, to Commit Adultery Temptation: Yielding to Hezekiah Temptation: Yielding to Isaac, to Lie Temptation: Yielding to Jacob, to Defraud Esau Temptation: Yielding to Sarah, to Lie Temptation: Yielding to Solomon, to Become an Idolater Through the Influences of his Wives Temptation: Yielding to The Prophet of Judah Temptation: Yielding to To Count the Nation of Israel Related Terms |
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