You’re My Temptation (The Last Temptation, 1994)

We’ve discussed so many songs from The Last Temptation. It’s genuinely one of the most incredible albums of all time. The songs and lyrics combine perfectly with Neil Gaiman’s The Last Temptation comics (a collaborative effort with Alice). The concept works beautifully.

“…you can’t take a song off the album and let it stand on its own as it sounds out of place. So what I wanted to do was write the story first and then write the songs into the story. That way, when you read the comic book, you can see where the songs fit in.” – Alice Cooper

As Alice states, every song on this album is noteworthy in some form or fashion. However, there are ones that stand out just a little bit more than others. “You’re My Temptation,” the fifth track on the LP, is one of those tracks.

In the song, we find Steven begging for reprieve. The Showman’s pawn, Mercy, is doing her best to seduce him.

Don’t call my name, don’t brush my cheek like that
I curse the day that I found you
Don’t touch my skin, don’t dance around like that
I feel damnation all around you

And so I raise my voice to Heaven (You fool me with your angel face)
Please hide me in some holy place (Your master knows when I’m weak)
Protect my soul; I’m only human

Mercy please, I’m on my knees
You’re my temptation
Look down and see deliver me
From my dark sensation
Give me faith, don’t let me waste
You’re my temptation

(Come to me )
You’re such a liar
(Won’t you come to me )
Move closer to the fire
(Just come to me )
No, no, no
(Won’t you come to me? I will set you free)
No, no, no, no

Steven is cognizant of the trap being laid and “raises his voice to Heaven.” He pleads with God and asks that his human soul be hidden in “some holy place.” The song powerfully depicts the struggle we all face when dealing with the vices that hinder our walk with the Lord.

The song explicitly targets sexual lust and self-control, and while sexual desire carries the most apparent bouts with temptation, it is definitely NOT the only temptation known to man.

The list is long when temptation is at the forefront of the discussion – power, notoriety, greed, obsession, to name a few. However, there are ways to combat the enemy’s lures and prevent ourselves from being ensnared by him.

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” – Hebrews 4:14-16

Detailed in the above-listed verses, Christ is referenced as our high priest. While he was fully man, he was also fully God, yet while tempted, He remained free of sin. Our Lord knows the temptations we endure. Therefore, leaning on Him and His guidance reveals a path of mercy and grace as we repent and journey onward.

“When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” – James 1:13-15

Many have uttered the words, “why is God tempting me?” However, it is paramount that we know that it is evil, not our Creator, that entices us. We are to blame for giving in to the enemy’s trickery and schemes.

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” – 1 Peter 5:6-9

We’ve been shown that the enemy is cunning and is on the prowl – ready to pounce and destroy. We know through the examples of satan tempting Christ in the wilderness what he is capable of doing and how he tries to mislead us (Matthew 4:1-11). However, we must look to Christ’s reactions for the answers.

When the enemy would attack Jesus, Christ would simply reply: “It is written,” followed by the appropriate lines from Scripture. After three tries at tempting Christ, the enemy fled (Matthew 4:11). Our Savior used the Word of God to combat the enemy and showed us how to do so as well.

Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. – Ephesians 6:11-17

As the above-listed scriptures discuss, we’ve been called to equip ourselves in the whole armor of God. However, there is only one weapon that thwarts the temptations of evil – the Word of God. Meditation upon Him and His Word lead us to a “transforming through the renewing of our minds” (Romans 12:2).

With that transformation, we recognize that the acceptance of Christ has redeemed our soul, and our Spiritual journey with the Holy Spirit has begun. However, the battle for our minds wages on. The enemy will do everything he can to keep us distracted and disoriented as we live our everyday lives.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell. – Matthew 5:27-30

Read those verses carefully; Jesus isn’t literally asking us to dismember ourselves or pluck our eyes out. However, He asks us to cut out the things that cause us to stumble and lead us into temptation.

It might be alcohol; it could be specific TV programs; maybe it’s being at the beach and seeing women (or men) in skimpy swimsuits; whatever it is that causes us to stumble, Christ teaches us to avoid it.

Jesus often would teach His disciples that “the Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41). Christ would show them how important it was to remain vigilant and pray often. Knowing Our Creator (through prayer and His Word) gives us the advantage over the enemy’s plots, schemes, and connivery.

Like Steven, when faced with temptation, we must learn to call upon the Lord and shelter ourselves from the enemy. After all, we are “only human” and require the Love, Mercy, and Grace of our Loving Father and His Word.

Wrapping up this week’s post, God does not entice us with evil or test us with temptation. Our Heavenly Father sent His Son not only to save our souls but teach us how to wage war against the enemy. Jesus revealed to us the power of God’s Word – our sword in the battle against the enemy and evil.

Christ also warns us to remove the things that cause us to stumble from our lives. Just as we would remove cancer from the body, so should we remove temptation from our hearts. The things that cause us to stumble should be removed.

God’s Word is often easy to read and understand when it comes to knowing what we should do and how we should do it. However, it’s the application of His Word that is difficult. We must remember, “the Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

We are also reminded that “two are better than one” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12). Let us not only confide in God about our temptations and shortcomings but also with one another as well. Together we keep one another accountable and firm, just as “iron sharpens iron” (Proverbs 27:17).

In short, know your enemy and your temptations, make boundaries, and don’t obstruct them.

In conclusion, The Last Temptation is magnificent – no exaggeration, it’s that good. From a teenage perspective, constantly curious about which path to take and which is best, the LP is straightforward and hard-hitting – the streets of hell are NOT “paved with gold,” and the Showman is not our friend.

Throughout Alice’s career, he’s found ways to continue the story of Steven, even with a few gaps in between and a few changes to the narrative. But, they all come together and coincide perfectly.

It’s easy to see Steven as the same character, whether it’s songs from Welcome To My Nightmare, Alice Cooper Goes To Hell, Hey Stoopid’s “Wind-Up Toy,” The Last Temptation, Along Came A Spider, or Welcome 2 My Nightmare.

Alice has found a way to use Steven in multiple scenarios and storylines, but for so many, The Last Temptation may affect them the most. Coop was able to not only address the temptations and dilemmas of a teenager “Lost in America” but also express his beliefs and faith in an unforgettable concept and LP.

That’s it for this week, be well and catch you next Friday.

Until then, Keep Walkin’ in Faith and Rockin’ with Alice!