Last week we began a two part series on how to fight temptation. I shared last week that Jesus died to set us free from the power of sin in our lives. So, when temptations come we are able to say no to it because we are not enslaved to it. Before someone gives their life to Christ they are enslaved to sin. Which means one is just about guaranteed that you’ll give in way more times to the temptation than you would if you were a follower of Christ. The power that Christ seeks to bring into our lives can free us. Christ enables us to offer the parts of our bodies as tools of righteousness and not wickedness.
Jesus has done his work. He has revealed his will to us in the Scripture so that we will not be confused about the right thing to do. He has placed his Holy Spirit in our hearts to guide us and when necessary to convict us of our sin. He has put all these things in place for us. So, what do we do when we face temptation?
1). Use the Bible both offensively and defensively
In Matthew chapter 4 Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted. It is important to note here that the temptations come right after a very awesome spiritual experience. At his baptism the heavens opened, the Spirit came, and a voice was heard to declare him to be God’s beloved Son in whom he was well pleased. Three specific times the devil tempted the Son of God. Each time Jesus responds to the temptation by saying the words, “It is written.” It seems as though the first two times He uses the scriptures defensively. In other words the invitation to enticement is given so he immediately responds with a defense. Then, the third time Jesus goes into offensive gear. He says in verse 10, “Away from me Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.” In other words, Jesus is saying you’ve been speaking long enough. I’ll show you who really is in charge here. I am and you are to worship me! I don’t think it is any accident that the devil took off like a whimpering baby after this declaration.
We are able to use the word of God as both a defensive and offensive weapon. For example, when your buddies come to you and say, “hey, why didn’t you go out with us last weekend and get plastered.” Hopefully you will know God’s word well enough where you will say, “Well, because God’s word tells me that I am not to get drunk with wine (or anything for that matter) but I am to be filled with the Spirit.” In other words it is more important to me that my life is filled with the Spirit where I know that without a shadow of a doubt there is life than my life filled with alcohol where I could end up dong something I’ll regret. How do you use God’s word offensively? Let us for example pretend that you are a new Christian and you desire to spend a few minutes each morning for the rest of the week in prayer and Bible study? But you know that there will probably be a million distractions that will tempt you from keeping your commitment. So, what do you do. You take scriptures like Psalm 143:8, “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way that I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.” You can use also Mark 1:35, “Very early in the morning while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” This is using God’s word offensively.
Another thing we can do to fight temptation is to just run away from it.
2). Run away from temptation
How do you run away from temptation? Two ways: Physically and mentally. You run from temptation much like Joseph did in Genesis 39. Potiphar’s wife took notice of handsome Joseph and tried to seduce him. What does he do? He said, “How could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God? He ran out of the house! Run away. Do whatever it takes not to give in. Flee from temptation.
ILLUSTRATION: If you are channel surfing and you see something inappropriate you have two options. You can flee from it or watch it. I remember in college I was living with a family who were members of the church I was serving at. I was watching cable and I came across something that was inappropriate. I did the godly thing and changed it. But you know what I continued to flip through the channels. What do you know, I “coincidentally” found myself going back to that channel until finally I just kept it on that channel. A few minutes later all of a sudden the cable went out! I was scared silly. What I should have done was turned it off and went to my room and got away from it but I didn’t. I did like many of us often do I got spiritual. Oh Lord, you know this is a struggle and I just pray you’ll help me not to turn the remote back to that channel. My heart was already set on watching that even before I prayed. Don’t wait until a desire is conceived before you take action against temptation!
You also run away from temptation mentally. When you are faced with the temptation to think an ungodly thought, it is important to counter the ungodly image with a godly one. Philippians 4:8 “And now, dear brothers and sisters, let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” (Philippians 4:8) (NLT)
Get those things in your mind. One of the images I have tried to keep before my mind is Jesus dying on the cross. Because, that image reminds me that I don’t have to give in to the temptation.
I want to mention one final way we can fight temptation and that is to fight temptation before temptation comes.
3). Fight Temptation before temptation comes.
Let’s be honest, a lot of times temptations come right out of the blue. But all of us have certain temptations that we are susceptible to—those things that if you knew you were tempted with right now…it would be a fight to say no. That’s why it is important with those certain areas that we stay away from a potential situation. I am reminded of Proverbs 7 is a story that illustrates this point. It is about a young man who gets hooked up with an immoral woman. But this story I think helps put any temptation in perspective.
“I was looking out the window of my house one day 7 and saw a simpleminded young man who lacked common sense. 8 He was crossing the street near the house of an immoral woman. He was strolling down the path by her house 9 at twilight, as the day was fading, as the dark of night set in. 10 The woman approached him, dressed seductively and sly of heart. 11 She was the brash, rebellious type who never stays at home. 12 She is often seen in the streets and markets, soliciting at every corner.13 She threw her arms around him and kissed him, and with a brazen look she said, 14 “I’ve offered my sacrifices and just finished my vows. 15 It’s you I was looking for! I came out to find you, and here you are! 16 My bed is spread with colored sheets of finest linen imported from Egypt. 17 I’ve perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. 18 Come, let’s drink our fill of love until morning. Let’s enjoy each other’s caresses, 19 for my husband is not home. He’s away on a long trip. 20 He has taken a wallet full of money with him, and he won’t return until later in the month.” 21 So she seduced him with her pretty speech. With her flattery she enticed him. 22 He followed her at once, like an ox going to the slaughter or like a trapped stag, 23 awaiting the arrow that would pierce its heart. He was like a bird flying into a snare, little knowing it would cost him his life. ” 7:6-13 (NLT)
I believe the foolish young man intentionally went down a road he shouldn’t have gone. He heard about the reputation. He probably had seen her before. But he went down the road anyway. It was dark. He was at the wrong place and he knew it.
I believe this story is a good reminder for us. We all know there are things we need to avoid. We need to fight temptation before temptation comes.
--Maybe you struggle with eating too many sweets. How do you fight it before it comes? Don’t go down that aisle.
--Maybe you struggle with watching inappropriate things in television. How do you fight is before you are faced with it? Unplug the cable.
--Maybe you struggle with joining in on the inappropritate joke telling when you are with a certain group of friends. How do you fight that before it comes?
--Maybe you struggle with impulsive buying? How do you fight temptation before it comes? Cut up your credit cards. Don’t go to the mall by yourself.
What steps do you need to take now to insure your not giving in to some temptations? This won’t keep all temptation away but it will be harder for you to give in than it would be if you didn’t take any precautions.
A recent survey of Discipleship Journal readers ranked areas of greatest spiritual challenge to them:
1. Materialism.
2. Pride.
3. Self-centeredness.
4. Laziness.
5. (Tie) Anger/Bitterness.
5. (Tie) Sexual lust.
7. Envy.
8. Gluttony.
9. Lying.
Survey respondents noted temptations were more potent when they had neglected their time with God (81 percent) and when they were physically tired (57 percent). Resisting temptation was accomplished by prayer (84 percent), avoiding compromising situations (76 percent), Bible study (66 percent), and being accountable to someone (52 percent).
Discipleship Journal, November / December, 1992
I think what it all boils down to is counting the cost.
Illustration: A man and his wife were shopping at a mall and a shapely young woman in a short, form-fitting dress strolled by. The man’s eyes followed her. Without looking up from the item she was examining, his wife asked, "Was it worth the trouble you’re in?"
This struggle with temptation is it worth the fight? What is at stake? Broken fellowship with God and unfruitful lives. I hope you will make a determination to fight temptation. With the help of God and some effort on your part you can stand firm in this world.
