Resisting Temptation

Christ taught His disciples to understand the pulls of human nature at work within them: “And He said, That which comes out of the man, that defiles the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness” (Mark 7:20-22).

These same attitudes, pulls of the flesh and wrong patterns of conduct are at work within everyone. They leave us fertile for temptation by Satan, the master “tempter” (Matt. 4:3).

Therefore, many temptations will be thrown at you throughout life. You must successfully resist them. They will often come when you least expect them, and the devil will try to strike you where you are weakest—most vulnerable—least prepared. You must always be on guard—ready! Do not assume that you are stronger or more prepared than you think. Consider Paul’s warning: “Wherefore let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (I Cor. 10:12).

The apostle James explained how temptation can turn into sin: “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death” (James. 1:14-15). Put out wrong thoughts and attitudes. Do not ease up or assume victory before these feelings are gone!

Peter added, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour” (I Pet. 5:8). He continued, “Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world” (I Pet 5:9). And James added, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).

The second part of this verse offers encouragement: You are not alone in your struggle to overcome sin. All human beings face the same problems. Understand! “All have sinned” (Rom. 3:23) and “sin is the transgression of the law” (I John 3:4). All have broken God’s Law. But God promises that “sin shall not have dominion over you” (Rom. 6:14).

Remember how Paul explained forces at work within him: “For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I…For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do” (Rom. 7:15, 19).

This pictures what we all face. When you feel like this, battle! resist! Use God’s power within you. Call out to Him for help and always remember that you must “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded” (Jms. 4:8). Certainly, fulfilling this verse in your own life is not an overnight process. It takes much time and effort.

Seek God through earnest, regular, believing prayer. Commune with Him daily. Pray without ceasing (I Thes. 5:17-18). Study your Bible (Matt. 4:4). Drink it in as God’s Word spoken to you—as though God were talking to you personally, in the same way you talk to Him through prayer!

Above all, do not get discouraged and give up when the temptation is severe and appears unrelenting. Never forget that “There has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it” (I Cor. 10:13).

This is God’s sure promise to all who strive to overcome!

But What If One Sins?

We have seen that all human beings sin. The newly-begotten Christian must expect this to continue after baptism. Perfection is not achieved overnight by a “profession of faith,” or by repentance and baptism alone. There is one lengthy series of verses that is very helpful on the subject of forgiveness and related matters.

The following passage bears instruction—but only after first reading all of it: “…and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ…that your joy may be full. This then is the message…that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. My little children, these things write I unto you, that you sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And He is the propitiation for our sins” (I John 1:3-2:2).

This is important instruction. Examine it verse by verse with an open Bible.

I Jn 1:3: John, the last living apostle in the Bible, speaking on behalf of all the apostles (“we”), explains that a Christian’s true fellowship is on the spiritual plane with Christ and the Father. It is through God that Christians have real, true fellowship with one another, within His Church.

I Jn 1:4: John’s purpose was to show people the source of real, permanent fullness of joy.

I Jn 1:5: The true God represents light—He “is light”—and there is nothing dark about what He does or who He is. The person who fellowships with the true God of the Bible wants to come to the light and come out of all the darkness of this world—and sin!

I Jn 1:6: This is the first of five verses beginning with the word “if.” The use of this word always indicates conditions—in this case, conditions involving free moral agency. Many people claim to “know” God, to fellowship with Him, but they neither know nor practice His truth in their lives. He says this makes them plain liars.

I Jn 1:7: Christ’s blood continues to cover all the sins—the errors, mistakes, weaknesses and flaws—of the person who is striving to walk in God’s truth, and in fellowship with other true Christians. Though they usually do not mean to, Christians slip, and have to get back on track.

I Jn 1:8: This verse is very important. Christians need to acknowledge that they sin. It has been my experience that self-deceit (Jer. 17:9) is the single biggest reason why most people do not grow and overcome as they should. Self-deceit, lying to yourself, is still deceit. There is no place for the truth to dwell in such a person! Remember, sin carries its own deceit (Heb. 3:13).

I Jn 1:9-10: To those who acknowledge and confess their sins, these verses are self-evident. Christ is there to wash—to clean up—the true Christian when he has momentarily strayed from the light of living by God’s word and law. A Christian must learn to overcome. Like learning to play the piano or paint a beautiful picture, this does not happen overnight! The Greek word for “cleanses” (I Jn 1:9), katharizo, is written in the present progressive tense, not the past tense. Cleansing is a process that always requires forgiveness from God.

Many worry that God will only forgive them once or a few times. Yet Christ told the disciples that they should forgive others “seventy times seven” (Matt. 18:21-22). That is many times! If God tells human beings to be willing to forgive others that many times, and that His willingness to forgive us is based upon this principle (Matt. 6:12), then how could He be willing to do less?

Of course, God would never hold Himself to a lower standard than He requires of His human servants. He will forgive many times, if necessary, as long as the person continues in his struggle against sin.

1 John 2:1-2: John uses the endearing term, “My little children,” because this is how God looks at His begotten sons and daughters. We are all little children in His sight. He knows that He needs to watch over us like human parents watch over their own small children. It is God’s intention that we not sin, yet, when we do, Christ stands before the Father as our “Advocate.” As our High Priest (Heb. 4:14-16), Jesus literally “roots” for His younger brothers and sisters in the presence of the Father. He understands what it is like to battle with and overcome sin, and He offers strength and forgiveness to those who acknowledge that they need both.

The first six verses in I John 2:1-29 describe the obedient Christian as one who keeps God’s Law and strives to walk and live the same life that Jesus did (I Jn 2:6). He is one who “keeps His [God’s] word,” striving not to compromise. He always seeks to do what is right.

When you stumble, and occasionally fall down, remember the words of David in Psalm 37:23-24: “The steps of a good man are ordered [established] by the Lord…Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholds him with His hand.” Like a parent lifting or steadying a child, God regularly picks up and upholds His children. Let God’s wonderful promise encourage you when you feel discouraged because you have fallen.