Overcoming Temptation #2 of 2

Take Biblical steps to resist and overcome temptation.

In 2 Peter 2:9, we see that “the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations.” What a beautiful truth to know that God can and will deliver us from temptations. So let’s check out some of the tools God provides in His Word to help us resist and overcome temptation:

By faith. After 1 Peter 5:8 tells us that the devil is a roaring lion (not a cuddly kitty cat) that wants to destroy and devour, God then tells us in the next verse to “resist (him) stedfast in the faith.” Faith is what we can’t see but what we hope in because God has told us it is so. Faith is knowing that God can deliver us and that we can resist temptation firmly and continually. Ephesians 6:16 tells us to hold up the shield of faith. How long do you hold up a shield? As long as you’re fighting! Hold that shield of faith high because the devil is hurling fiery darts of temptation your way.

Avoid It. Proverbs 4:15 gives us the instruction by saying, “Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.” If you know there’s something that can take you down, then be smart and run. You might have been told that a tough man doesn’t run, but a wise man does run when it comes to temptation. Don’t stick around and find out how strong you are, get out of there. When warning about sexual sins, Proverbs 5:8 suggests to not even get close to the doorstep, but to remove yourself far from there. If the temptation is avoided, there’s not much of a chance of falling. If you stay in the line of fire, you will most likely be shot. The apostle Peter gave sound advice to abstain from anything that wars against your soul (1 Peter 2:11). Don’t mess with it. Avoid it!

Yield yourself and your members to God. In Romans 6, God’s children are told to yield (relinquish, hand over, surrender) themselves and the members of their bodies to God. If the hands, feet, eyes, or mouth belong to God, then don’t surrender them to the devil for unrighteousness. God reminds us that one is slave to that which he yields himself. So, be honest and ask yourself, do you want to be a slave to alcohol, anger, fornication, bitterness, or pornography? Or do you want to be God’s servant? If you want to overcome temptation, make sure you don’t yield yourself, or the members of your body, to temptation.

Deny yourself. In Matthew 16:24, Jesus said to His disciples, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” You must decide who you are going to please, Christ or yourself. Self wants to be fulfilled and have it all now, but you must learn to say “no” to self so you can say “yes” to God. If you can’t say “no” to your desires, you can’t say “yes” to His desires. The apostle Paul said, “I die daily” (1 Corinthians 15:31). Daily, a child of God must say no to self-fulfillment so He can keep God first and foremost in his life. Self-denial requires discipline, but it shows the flesh, the world, and the devil Who is the priority in your life.

Replace it. There is a principle throughout the Word of God that teaches God’s children to put off certain things and put on other things. The following verses all teach this principle: James 1:21, 1 Peter 2:1-2, Ephesians 4:22-25, Colossians 3:8-14, and Romans 13:12-14. Yes, you should stop doing whatever it is that is causing you to fall prey to the devil’s grips, but you should replace it with good things so you are no longer vulnerable. For example, if hanging around certain people is the segue to doing something you regret, then change up your friends. If being alone at certain times of the day is when your temptation is strongest, then set up some accountability with someone to report your actions to during that time. Pinpoint your place, time, or reason for stronger temptations. Then replace that with another activity. Don’t allow the devil to win the battle. You can put off the bad and put on the good. As a result you’ll overcome the temptation that has held you captive for too long.

Refer to His Word. In Matthew 4, when the devil is tempting Jesus, the Lord replies to each of the devil’s temptations with the same words: “It is written” (vs. 4,7,10). Instead of disputing, Jesus simply reminded the devil about the unchanging agent of God’s Word. While everything in this world is wavering, God’s Word is already settled in Heaven (Psalm 119:89). If our Lord referred to God’s Word, we would be wise to do the same. Remind the devil what God says. The Psalmist David said to hide God’s Word in your heart to not sin against Him (Psalm 119:11). In moments of strong temptation, sing yourself a song about truth from God’s Word or quote a passage from it. Our strength is no match for the devil and his temptations, but refer to God’s Word and you’ll send him scurrying down the road.

Cry out to God. In Matthew 6:9, the Lord begins to explain how to pray, and in verse 13 it says, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” It always feels better when you can talk to someone about your struggle, and God says He wants to be that person. You don’t have to go through temptation after temptation alone, you can talk to God! While that sounds like a cliché, it’s not. Hebrews 2:18 says, “For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.” Our Savior knows what temptation is, He was tempted, passed the test, and can help you in your temptations. The next time you are tempted, ask God aloud to help you and give you strength. Remind yourself that He will not leave nor forsake you. You belong to Him, He purchased you, and He wants the best for you. As you talk to God, the temptation will begin to lose its appeal, and you will more successfully walk away from the temptation.

Wake up and watch. In Matthew 26:41, Jesus said, “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Jesus had been telling His disciples to pray with Him, but they kept falling asleep. They were tired, but Jesus was talking about something deeper. He continued to tell them to watch (vs. 38,40,41), but they continued falling asleep. And spiritually, too many Christians are sleeping (Romans 13:11; 1 Corinthians 15:34). We are told to wake up because the time is short and the devil is astute. Wake up and be alert. Realize that temptation might look good but will leave you empty. Realize that sin has consequences. Realize that the devil wants to destroy you. Wake up and don’t let the temptation steal the joy you have for Jesus. Watch and don’t mindlessly sleep while the devil works to destroy your life. Temptation is about pleasing self. Wake up and kick self off the throne. Wake up and watch lest you dethrone God from the throne of your life.

Remember your identity. When the devil tempted Jesus in Matthew 4, he attacked the identity of Jesus, saying, “If thou be the Son of God” (vs. 3,6). Of course, He was the Son of God. All the temptations of the devil are attacks against the identity of Christ. Jesus replied saying, “Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God” (vs. 7). The devil attacked His identity, but Jesus didn’t let the devil forget His identity. In his book Tempted and Tried, Russell Moore says, “Temptation is so strong in our lives precisely because it’s not about us. Temptation is an assault by the demonic powers on the rival empire of the Messiah.” The devil’s attacks are against God, so if the devil can cause you to doubt your identity in God, he wins the battle. Every child of God must remember that in the dark and doubting moments of temptation, his identity is “hid with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3). Your victory is in your identity. You are a child of God! You are more than a conqueror! You are an overcomer! Don’t forget your identity!

Check out a beautiful promise from God. James 1:12 says, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” More than the rewards received for enduring temptations, I want you to see that it is possible to endure the temptation. There is nothing impossible for God, so as God’s child, run to Him and allow Him to help you endure and overcome the temptations!

Let’s close out this chapter meditating on the old hymn entitled “Yield Not to Temptation.” The song offers great advice and truth when it comes to the area of temptation.

Yield not to temptation, for yielding is sin;
Each vict’ry will help you some other to win;
Fight manfully onward, dark passions subdue;
Look ever to Jesus, He’ll carry you through.

Ask the Savior to help you,
Comfort, strengthen, and keep you;
He is willing to aid you,
He will carry you through.