Resisting Temptation.

Christ taught His disciples to understand the pulls of human nature at work within them. When He taught, “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 also at work within you and me. They leave us fertile for temptation by Satan.

Therefore, many kinds of trials, tests and temptations will be thrown at you all through life. You must successfully resist them. They will often come when you least expect them. The devil will try to strike you where you are weakest—most vulnerable—least prepared. You must be on guard at all times—in a constant state of readiness! Do not assume you are stronger or more prepared than you think. Consider this: “Wherefore let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (I Cor. 10:12).

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. Do not ease up or assume victory before they 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). And James also instructed, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). Peter 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).

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). God promises that “sin shall not have dominion over you” (Rom. 6:14).

Here is 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” (James 4:8). Certainly, fulfilling this verse in your own life is not an overnight process. It takes time and much effort.

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

Above all, do not become 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 seek to overcome!

Christ Overcame and Qualified to Replace Satan

Resisting the temptation of the devil was central to Christ overcoming sin. Matthew 4:1:25 contains the account: “Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit…to be tempted of the devil” (Mt 4:1). The devil repeatedly tempted Christ, in various ways. Carefully read the account. At the end of several attempts by Satan to break Christ’s will, the account climaxes.

You will notice that, after being offered all the kingdoms of the world, Christ rebuked Satan (Mt 4:10), stating, “Get you hence, Satan.” This is a nice way of saying that Christ told the devil to “get out.” At this point, the temptation ended and the devil departed. Christ had successfully resisted!

Be prepared to tell Satan to “Get out” of your life as often as you have to. Successfully resist him by submitting to God completely—in all things!

Christ passed a very real test! He overcame the world, His flesh and the devil in overcoming sin and qualifying to pay for the sins of the world. Recall, when speaking of having overcome the world, Christ said, “Be of good cheer.” You can overcome in the same way that Christ did.

Seven Steps to Permanent Change

Applying the following SEVEN BASIC STEPS will help you overcome problems that you face. They represent principles that will work in the process of overcoming no matter the size of the problem or problems that you face.

If you diligently apply them, they will be a formula that will help you to permanently overcome in your life.

(1) HONESTLY FACE THE PROBLEM. Many people will not squarely face their problems. They hide their eyes from reality. Jeremiah 17:9 declares, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Most people willingly deceive themselves about their problems. Honestly face your problems. Look them right in the eye and see them for what they are.

(2) DO NOT GET DISCOURAGED. It is very easy to get discouraged now that you have acknowledged your problems. It is easy to be disheartened. This is natural. Be ready for this feeling to possibly strike you, after you have honestly faced the weakness, sin or fault that you are now ready to tackle. Paul wrote of those who are “troubled on every side, yet not distressed…perplexed, but not in despair” (II Cor. 4:8-9). You may feel this way as you face your problems, but do not get discouraged. Move on to the next step.

(3) SET YOUR WILL. Absolutely determine that you are going to defeat each particular problem and that each will not defeat you! Take a do-or-die approach to the battle that lies before you. It has been said that the hardest battle is the first battle. Set your will to address each sin or weakness successfully. Tell yourself that you are going to defeat it—that you are going to rip it from your character. But recognize that you cannot fight the battle on your own. You must move to step four.

(4) FORM A PARTNERSHIP WITH GOD. If you set out to overcome on human strength alone, you will fail. That is assured. We have already touched on this. Paul wrote, “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13). Jesus said, “I can of My own self do nothing” (John 5:30). On another occasion, when speaking to His disciples and talking about those who have certain things to overcome, Christ also said, “With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible” (Matt. 19:26). Simply believe Christ’s words. If He could do nothing on His own, neither can you or I. Be sure that you have formed a partnership with God and are not working on your own.

(5) START RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE. Admit that the problem is whatever size that it is. Neither overstate nor understate it. If it is a BIG problem, admit it! This is part of honestly facing it. If you are trying to overcome any pull of the flesh or temptation that has existed for a long time—that has been part of you for many years, even a lifetime—admit the size of the problem. It has been said, “The longest journey begins with a single step.” That is true for the Christian. No matter how long it takes, or where you are when you start, start wherever you find yourself. If you have wasted time in deciding to address the problem, admit it. Acknowledge where you are and “Redeem the time” (Eph. 5:16).

(6) BE WILLING TO PAY THE PRICE. The Bible describes some who “grow weary” and “faint in the day of adversity” (Prov. 24:10). Solomon wrote that “their strength is small.” Paul wrote, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Gal. 6:9). Everything of value in life comes at a cost—a price. Sometimes this involves pain, suffering. Pay the price. Paul wrote that even Christ “learned obedience by the things which He suffered” (Heb. 5:8). None of us enjoy pain, but sometimes it is inescapable in the overcoming process. The Psalmist said, “Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept Your word” (Psa. 119:67). Four verses later, he added, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn Your statutes” (Psa 119:71).

(7) DO NOT GIVE UP BEFORE YOU HAVE SUCCEEDED. Paul talked of running in a race and finishing his course. He said that he “pressed toward the mark” (Phil. 3:13) on his way to the kingdom of God. Solomon wrote, “For a just man falls seven times, and rises up again” (Prov. 24:16). Do not give up. Do not EVER give up! Wrestle, battle and struggle until you have completely overcome whatever obstacle, weakness, sin or problem you are facing! Follow these points, always employing one step at a time. They have helped many to win the war of overcoming!