Everyone should be mindful of their temptations.
Temptation is an issue that we all face. I don’t usually mix my faith, which I consider a very personal issue, with my leadership development work. And, I have no intention of radically changing course now; however, what we read and study does affect us and helps form our beliefs. From childhood, I was fascinated by the story of the “Three Temptations of Christ,” which he endured while alone and fasting in the desert for 40 days and 40 nights. While suffering through this experience, the devil tempted him to make it all go away and create an easier path for himself. Thankfully, Jesus refused, and the rest, as they say, is history.
The three temptations were Hedonism (self-satisfaction), Egoism (power), and Materialism (wealth). These are areas where we all struggle in life. I’ve witnessed it firsthand with friends, colleagues, clients, and myself. You can hardly read the newspaper or watch television without being confronted with these issues on a regular basis. It seems that people who have achieved some levels of professional success are challenged even more than the average everyday person, who has more fundamental life issues to worry about. It’s as if the more we succeed, the more we are tempted. All you must do is look at professional sports and Hollywood to see this dynamic play out.
I’ve always believed that if you want to know who a person really is, give them money and power. Once the basics are covered, you can focus on what you want, rather than what you need. In addition, when you’ve already distanced yourself from the pack, you don’t need to be that concerned about its problems or issues. You can forge ahead with your agenda, whatever that ends up being. Gated communities, exclusive private clubs, personal jets, and luxury hotels may protect you from the masses. However, they can also stunt your perspective and limit your personal and professional context. Furthermore, when you have direct control over others’ outcomes, it can be tempting to abuse this power and manipulate the situation for personal gain or to settle personal grudges. Life should be a win-win proposition, but many accomplished people fall into the trap of win-lose thinking. Sadly, temptations hinder successful, fortunate people just like everyone else.
If you are constantly in search of pleasure or self-satisfaction, you will become increasingly disenchanted with the result. Hunger comes in many forms. A hedonist is always in search of more satisfaction and gratification. They spend far too much time on the superficial aspects of their existence and not enough time working on becoming a better version of themselves. They look outside of themselves for happiness and feelings of self-satisfaction. We are all tempted by personal acclaim, VIP treatments, drink, food, sex, exotic travel, and other human pleasures. Feeling good is nice; overdoing it is gluttonous. As the saying goes, “too much of anything is never a good thing.” Just because you can do something doesn’t necessarily mean you should. The mark of a well-lived life is sometimes having the personal self-discipline to do the opposite after weighing the actual consequences of your actions.
Misplaced ego is a big obstacle for many leaders. Often, it may lie hidden for years until the summit is achieved, but it will eventually appear if there is a personality problem in this area. Once an individual begins to believe they are entitled to certain things due to their identity and accomplishments, it can lead to a downward spiral. It can be even worse when they are born into a privileged situation. A subtle boundary exists between exuding confidence and succumbing to egotism. I’ve yet to meet someone who is great at or knows everything. I’ve observed exceptionally talented individuals, possessing unique skills, begin to believe that their thoughts, desires, and beliefs surpass all other opinions. Ironically, they often have thin skin and are easily affronted by criticism, yet they think nothing of castigating or judging others. Of course, your life journey is about you and what happens to you, but it is equally about the concern you show for others and the positive impact you have on them as a result. Any power or advantage you may have attained over anyone should be used judiciously.
Material things rarely lead to sustained happiness. There will always be someone with more than you. Your perception of the value they derive from this advantage may be far from accurate. Things do not make people happy; it is relationships and positive experiences that bring happiness. Sadly, many people forget this fact. The further you isolate yourself from others based on what you have, the lonelier you will become. Countless books, plays, and movies have told this story. You will also have fewer and fewer people who can relate to your reality. Jesus famously stated, “It is easier for a rich man to pass through the eye of a needle than to cross the gates of heaven.” I’ve always felt that the quote was a bit harsh and too general an observation; however, he often used extreme statements to make his point. Enjoy your wealth, but don’t let it become the primary focus of your existence. When you achieve things without effort, they lose their specialness. Success should be celebrated and rewarded, but it is best when it is shared. We all find that the older we get, the more joy we get from giving rather than receiving.
Thankfully, I’ve also encountered many good-hearted, accomplished individuals who are grateful for their blessings, keep their egos in check, and are generous with their time, treasure, and talents. Whether they need to or not, they continue to reap the benefits of the group. They understand the broader perspective. They realize that the hallmark of a good life is doing worthwhile work that benefits not only themselves but also others. They do remarkable things, have wonderful experiences, and keep it all in perspective. The journey of life has never been about the pursuit of pleasure or power, feeding and then placating one’s ego, or accumulating many things. I doubt any of us will ever have 40 days and 40 nights in the desert as Jesus did to contemplate this issue, but we all will be tempted by our versions of the devil continuously throughout our lives.
The three temptations are a real threat to any individual’s life. Be ever mindful of your intentions and actions.