The Cult of Paul

Contrast #06: how they dealt with temptation...

Paul claims that his succumbing to temptation is an innate inevitability, writing, But I am of the flesh, sold into slavery under sin. I do not comprehend my own choices, for I do not do what I want, but rather the very thing I despise... And yet in fact it is no longer I that do so, but rather the sin that dwells within me I can wish for what is right, but I cannot do the same.^{Romans 7: 14-18} Whereas Jesus - in a brilliant exemplification of his own teachings - stands fully resolute in the face of even the most insidious of misleadings during the most trying of circumstances. It is recorded, And Jesus was led by the Spirit up into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting for forty days and forty nights, he was famished... and the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and said to him 'all these I will give to you if you will but fall down and worship me.' And Jesus said to him 'Away with you Satan! For it is clearly written: "Worship only the Lord your Father, and serve only Him.' and it was then that the devil left Jesus, and angels came to him thereafter.^{Matthew 4:1-11 cf. Luke 4:1-13}