We are not responsible for our temptations, but for yielding to and encouraging them. The sin consists in asquiescence. Christ himself was tempted. God tempts no man, but the evil spirit in our own hearts tempts us. If you will ask God, in Christ's name, to free you from these temptations and to purify your mind and heart, the temptations will have no power over you. They will come again and again, but will retire baffled and defeated. It is the only way. Christ's prayer (taught to his disciples), is better interpreted: "Abandon us not in temptation" (the power of the tempter), and not "remove us from temptation." It is a part of our earthly discipline.
