How do I resist temptation?
The struggle is real.
You and I both know the sins we commonly commit. We even know some of the ways that the devil tempts us to fall into those sins. Yes, the godly desire to resist temptation and live for God is absolutely present in our hearts. But our sinful nature is right there too.
As the apostle Paul wrote, “Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death” (Romans 7:21-24)?
So often, I want to be the one who rescues myself. I don’t want to need anyone to save me. I want to be the one who resists temptation all by myself—by my own strength and willpower.
But that’s a dangerous mindset to fall into. As I look at my track record of times when I’ve tried to resist temptation on my own without any help, I can’t find a single instance where I’ve succeeded.
You and I need help in resisting temptation, dear Christian. How do we resist and fight back against the devil’s temptations?
In times of temptation, God gives us the truths we can turn to in his Word. That’s the help we desperately need. Standing firm on the foundation of his Word, we resist. With God’s Word, we can see the devil’s temptations for what they are: lies.
Whatever the temptation, whether the devil and our sinful natures whisper promises of peace and comfort and happiness if we just give in and do it, that’s an insidious lie. It’s a sin. It won’t bring peace, comfort, and happiness—only death.
And yet, you and I still fall into sin time and time again! I struggle with standing firmly on God’s Word and listening to him. I sometimes wander and stray. That’s why I love how Paul answered his question from the verses quoted above. “Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?”
“Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:25).
God delivers us. He sent his sinless Son, Jesus. He perfectly resisted the devil and his temptations. Not just once or three times in the wilderness for forty days. He perfectly resisted for 33 long years, from his first breath to his final cry of “It is finished!” He was tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. That perfect resistance was for you and me—for all the times we do fall into sin. We look to him for comfort, forgiveness, and strength.
How do you and I resist temptation? We sit at the feet of Jesus and listen to his Word. We hear about his amazing love for us and learn how we can show love to God and our neighbor. We’re strengthened and empowered by God’s love for us so that we actively struggle against our sinful nature daily.
No matter what, our focus is on the victory Jesus won and has freely given to us—the forgiveness of sins and eternal life with him.
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Looking for more? The People’s Bible®: Hebrews shows how God revealed his plan for humanity through Jesus and encourages you to persevere despite trials and temptations.
Alex Brown is the marketing and content copywriter at Northwestern Publishing House. He has his Master of Divinity degree from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary and enjoys reading, writing, and spending time in God’s creation.
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