How to Resist Temptation

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Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)

13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Devotion:

            Temptation to sin is common to all humans. Even Jesus was tempted (see Mark 1:12-13, Matthew 4:1-11, Luke 4:1-13). Temptation itself is not sin, however, only Jesus passed every temptation without sin. We may pass certain tests and fail spectacularly at others. So, it is to be human. From today’s scripture we are assured that God will not allow us to be tempted beyond our ability to deal with the temptation. How is it then we so often fail in our efforts to overcome temptation?

            Their maybe many reasons we fail to meet the test. First, if we look back to the first temptation in the Garden, you will see that the serpent confused Eve as to the actual command God had given the first pair of humans. Sowing doubt in our minds is a classic demonic move. If the devil and his minions can sow doubt in our minds regarding a specific command, he can gain victory over us. One only need to look at society at large to see what happens when Satan is able to influence large numbers of people to disbelieve in the truth and accuracy of God’s word. How many people today no longer believe in the miracles written of in the Bible? From Noah and the flood to the resurrection of Jesus from the grave many people deny that any miracle recorded in the Bible ever happened.

            Next, let’s consider how Jesus defeated the temptation of Satan in the wilderness. When Jesus had been fasting for 40 days and was weak from hunger Satan appeared to him to test him. Jesus successfully turned back the devil's temptation by his knowledge of scripture. Jesus used scripture that he had at his command to defeat the devil. It is important to note that Jesus knew the scripture accurately. Eve in the garden had an inaccurate knowledge of the scripture and behold the disaster that resulted from that error. As part of the temptation of Jesus it is important to note that Satan even used scripture to justify his temptation. Jesus knew about the scheme of the devil and was ready with scriptural truth to counteract Satan’s lies.

            Finally, and most importantly we must turn to God in prayer. In the model prayer Jesus taught us there is the petition “lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil” (Matthew 6:13). The devil often cannot tempt the believer who has been on his or her knees petitioning the Lord for help in overcoming temptation and the snares of the devil. And if he or she is tempted they have a much better chance of overcoming any temptation the devil decides to throw at them. Let us hear and pray these words from Hebrews 4:14-16 (NLT)

“14 So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. 15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most”

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