The Struggle with Temptations
Temptations come to every person on this earth. Even Jesus was “tempted in every way, just as we are,” yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). Christ experienced the full weight of every imaginable temptation that the “prince of this world” (John 12:31) could push upon Him, but without in the least degree, even by a thought, responding to them (John 14:30). Satan found no place in His heart.
For the first time human nature became triumphant over the inclinations to do evil, and because of Christ’s triumph over sin, believers too may triumph over it (Romans 8:1–4). In fact, in Him we can be “more than conquerors” (Romans 8:37), for God “giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57), over both sin and its wages, death (Galatians 2:20).
Therefore, the Lord urges His faithful children, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). And He adds, “submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). The weakest person who seeks refuge in Christ will cause Satan to tremble. And the Lord promises not to allow any temptation beyond our power of resistance (1 Corinthians 10:13).
God does not tempt man (James 1:13). Man has brought suffering and pain upon himself by his disobedience (Genesis 1:27, 31; 3:15–19; Ecclesiastes 7:29; Romans 6:23). Since this is the case, the Lord uses these trials to refine the character according to His good will (1 Peter 4:12, 13).
How to Overcome Temptations
The Lord made every provision that believers may overcome all temptations. The following are God’s ways to achieve victory in the life:
1-The Holy Spirit: If we have the Holy Spirit residing in our hearts, we already have the power to resist all the temptations of the evil one. As Paul told the Galatians, “live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature” (Galatians 5:16). The Spirit will help us in our fight against evil.
2-The Word of God: The Psalmist tells us, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11). When Christ was tempted by Satan in the desert, the first thing He did was to quote Scripture (Matthew 4:4-10), which eventually caused the devil to flee from His presence.
3-Prayer: Jesus taught us in the “Lord’s Prayer,” to pray that we would not be led into temptation (Matthew 6:13; Luke 11:4). And when Jesus was tempted in the Garden of Gethsemane, he pleaded with the disciples to pray “so that you will not fall into temptation” (Mark 14:38).
4-Avoid temptations: Paul warns us to “flee” from temptation (1 Timothy 6:11). Like Joseph, we need to run away from sin and the appearance of sin and not linger around it (1 Thessalonians 5:22).
5-Have faith in God: Finally God promised His children that “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world— our faith” (1 John 5:4). This is a promise from God, and those that are being tempted should be “fully persuaded” that God has the power to do what He has promised (Romans 4:21).
Whenever the Lord call us to do something, He furnishes us with every means for complete victory. Paul declared, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13). In Christ, there is power to fulfill duty, stamina to resist temptation, patience to bear hardships, and energy for ministry.
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
