We all face temptation! Satan wants to draw us away from what God wants for us. How do you deal with it? It’s a sin to give in, but it’s not a sin to be tempted.
The German reformer, Martin Luther said, “You cannot keep birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair.”
When you understand what temptation really is and you know how to overcome it, you really start to live.
So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! 13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:12-13
Temptation dissolves in the presence of truth. So, how can you say “no” when all you want to say is yes?
Temptation will always be a part of life.
When you think you are standing firm, watch out. Get ready for the fall. Everyone is tempted by something.
He doesn’t say, “If” you get tempted, but WHEN. So when you meet those super-spiritual people and they say, “I don’t get tempted. Nothing tempts me,” there’s a word for that: FAKE NEWS! You never ever outgrow temptation. You don’t get too old to be tempted. You’re never too holy so that nothing tempts you. In fact, the more you grow, the more you’ll be tempted. Jesus was tempted by the devil.
It’s not a sin to be tempted. It’s a sin to give in to temptation.
It’s not a sin to be tempted. It’s a sin to give in to temptation. In Hebrews 4:15, it says: Christ was tempted in every way we are tempted, but He did not sin. It’s very possible to be tempted and not sin. IDon’t be surprised when you’re tempted. It’s a part of life. Then you can be ready to tackle it.
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Matthew 4:1
“Temptation is not a sin; it is a call to battle.” ― Erwin W. Lutzer
Accept personal responsibility for the temptation you face. It’s not someone else’s fault you’re being tempted.
When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. James 1:13
Have you noticed that people don’t know how to take personal responsibility anymore? When you blame, you are Being Lame.
Most of the problems in my life are the result of my own issues, not someone else. So if I’m going to win over the temptations that I’m facing, I need to accept responsibility and stop making excuses.
We all face the same temptations.
The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience.
For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 1 John 2:16
The idea that I can meet my own needs is behind every temptation.
There is always a way out.
You can’t use the old excuse, “I couldn’t help it.” There is no such thing as an irresistible temptation. God gives you an escape. You’ve got to be alert and be looking out for it.
So that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes. 2 Corinthians 2:11
He uses this step by step trap to drag us in. Don’t play tug of war with temptation. It will tug back. Let go of the rope and get out.
Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:22
The key to getting control of your life is to give God control of your life. When you have God’s Spirit in your life, He gives you supernatural power to say no to sinful choices.
…And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you can endure. 1 Corinthians 10:13b
What he is saying is, “When you are facing temptation, look for a way out.” You don’t have to fight the temptation, you get away from the temptation. Don’t depend on yourself. Depend on God.
If it’s lust, who have you been brave enough to tell that you struggle with lust? You don’t have to fight that battle alone.
You can stand when you give up fighting on your own and exchange your will power for God’s power.
You can’t say no to temptation until you say yes to Jesus.
Temptation is everywhere. But that doesn’t mean you have to give in to the temptation. You can triumph over temptation.