Facing The Cross - Week 1 - Facing Temptation
Facing The Cross - Week 1 - Facing Temptation
“So if you think you are standing, watch out that you do not fall. 13 No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.” (1 Corinth 10:12-13)
Temptations are everywhere, and unless we learn how to deal with them, we will live in defeat. Temptation is a person’s strong inner desire to participate in an activity or habit that will impact life and perhaps prove destructive in the long run. No one is immune. Temptation can be overcome, but first we must recognize that it exists so we can learn how to resist it.
Jesus taught His disciples to pray, “Lead us not into temptation.” This is a simple petition — asking God to not allow or permit us to be tempted to sin. The word “temptation” can also refer to trials, and Christians can rightly ask for deliverance from suffering.
How does temptation work in us? How can we overcome temptations? The Bible has much to say about this topic. The retired Pastor Richard Mauthe and I have just began a Sunday morning Bible study following our worship service. We will begin with studying Genesis 1:1 and work our way through the first 5 books of the Bible. I invite you to join us in this in-depth study of the stories of God’s people.
So, what does the bible say about how we should respond to temptation? Here are some pointers for us all:
- Fight Temptation with the Word of God
The Word of God is meant to be our method of defeating temptation. It helps us resist conformity to the world and embrace transformation. Paul tells us the Word of God is “the sword of the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:17.) The Bible is the armory in which the swords can be found. Through God’s Word we can find many swords to fight off temptation and follow the grace of Jesus.
- Run from Temptation
Although the Bible does not tell us to run from many things, it does tell us to flee from sexual temptations. We must avoid tempting situations and do not hang out with wicked people who draw us toward actions that pull us away from God. Proverbs 4:14-15 says to, “do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of evildoers. Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on.”
- Pray When Tempted
Jesus said to “keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41). Ask the Holy Spirit for help, guidance, protection and strength. Be honest with God about the temptations you’re facing, and how you struggle. Ask God to help you become an overcomer.
- Consider the Consequences
Temptation doesn’t want us to think about consequences when we’re in the throes of enticement. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the ugliness of sin — to show the end point of the attractive temptation.
- Cultivate Godliness
It’s not enough say “no” to ungodliness; we need to turn Godward. We need to clothe ourselves in Christ and His holiness, so we will not gratify our fleshly desires.
- Focus on the Eternal Perspective
Colossians 3:2 says, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” We do this by filling our thoughts with the holiness of God and the love of Jesus. When bombarded with temptations, remember you are not your own and you are accountable to God.
- Visualize Doing the Right Thing
We should do this even before temptations come, but when faced with temptations, it is powerful to remember who we are in Christ and that we are called to holiness.
- Seek Help from Others
Be transparent not only before God, but to others.
When it comes to battling temptation, by all means, don’t give up! The rewards of integrity and holiness are more than worth your efforts.
(Concepts borrowed from author and writer Dawn Wilson)