Side Roads to Temptation (Part 4)

Side Roads to Temptation (Part 4)

Sis. Techie Rodriguez, Elder-Founder

September 12, 2018

9. How can we resist temptation?

It is hard to say no when we are faced with temptations and evil thoughts, but we must not dwell on them.

“Temptation is like Satan knocking at the door and when I see him knocking, I will tell Jesus to answer the door and Satan will flee…,"answered a little girl, who was asked what she did when temptation comes.

A. Know the difference between needs and desires.

• When in need, we worry andget tempted to doubt God. We must pray and not worry for he takes care of all our needs (Mt. 6:25-34).We should rejoice always.

B. Resist harmful desires.

• Those who want to get rich find no contentment. They fall into harmful desires that plunge people into destruction (1 Tim. 6:9). In order to acquire more wealth, some compromise their Christian values. Love of money is the root of all evil (1 Tim. 6:10).
• Reflection: Are the desires of your heart in line with the desires of God?God’s main desire is for us to do His will (Ps. 40:8).

10. Strategies to Resist Temptation

A. Know your Enemy (2 Cor. 2:11).

• Be imitators of God (Eph. 5:1-5).
• Obey and work out your salvation with fear and trembling (Phil.2:12). As servants of God, we must please God, not men (Gal. 1:10).

B. Refuse to be intimidated.

• Consider temptation a compliment that you do not belong to Satan forhe hates you.

• The enemy can tempt us but the Lord will not allow us to be tempted/tested beyond our capacity (1 Cor. 10:13).

C. Recognize your pattern of temptation.

• Each of us has different weaknesses. Satan will tempt us in areas where we have fallen.
• Reflection:

• When/where am I most tempted?
• How do I feel when I am most tempted?
• Who is with me when I am most tempted?

• Steer clear of people, situations and places where you are tempted the most.
• Remember, it is easier to stay out of temptation than to get out of it once you are there.

D. Refocus your attention on something else.

• In the Bible, we are told to resist the Devil (Jas. 4:7) and overcome evil with good.

E. Reveal your struggle to a Godly friend.

• God’s plan for your life includes real fellowship with other Christians as your antidote against sins that would not budge.
• Confess to one another your struggles against sins that would not budge so that you may be healed (Jas. 5:16).

F. Use the weapon of the Spirit, the Word of God.

• Resist the Devil by using the weapon of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Eph. 6:17).

If you do not have the Bible, or verses, memorized you have no bullets in your gun.

• My people perish because they do not know my Word (Hos. 4:6). Be sure you know your weapon.