Temptation is an invitation to sin that comes from either within us or from outside us. Temptations are not sins. Sin occurs only when we consent to a temptation. With God’s help we can resist them.

Not all temptations come from the devil. Many temptations come from the world around us and from the forces within us called passions. Passions are inclinations towards rebelling against God’s will. We can conquer temptation, if we want to do so. We gain merit in God’s eyes by conquering temptation, and we grow in holiness. We must, however, have God’s …