Resist Temptation
Temptation… something we are all familiar with. Even Jesus faced temptation during His time on earth, and as His followers, we too are called to resist.
“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 10:13 (NIV)
But taking the way out is often easier said than done. Resisting temptation requires crucifying our flesh — our human desires and wants. We fight against our own emotions and cravings. Yet we are not called to do this in our own strength, but through the help of our Almighty Father.
As the Scripture above promises, God will “provide a way out so that you can endure it.” He does not abandon us in our moments of weakness, nor does He stand by silently. He has promised to show us a way out of every temptation. This may look different depending on the situation, but we can trust that if we call on the name of Jesus and ask the Holy Spirit for help, He will answer. Every time.
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
— James 4:7 (NIV)
Here we are given two clear instructions: submit and resist. According to the Oxford Dictionary, to submit means “to yield to authority,” and to resist means “to withstand or oppose.” God’s Word calls us to yield fully to His authority, placing His will above our own. When we do this, our desire for sinful things begins to weaken. At the same time, we are to actively oppose the devil—not merely ignore him.
Think of a country prone to earthquakes. To withstand them, people take active measures: they build with strong materials and firm foundations. Likewise, resisting the devil requires intentional action. We must be rooted in Scripture, grounded in prayer, strengthened through fasting, and active in intercession. Resistance must be part of our daily choices.
“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”
— Galatians 5:16 (NIV)
This verse is a powerful reminder for everyday life and particularly when we face times of temptation. To avoid gratifying our flesh, we must walk daily with the Holy Spirit. For those early in their Christian walk, discerning between flesh and Spirit can be difficult. A good rule of thumb: if what you are doing, thinking, or watching goes against the Word of God, it is likely your flesh speaking and should be avoided. The Holy Spirit is always in perfect alignment with Scripture. So immerse yourself in the Word: read it, listen to it, reflect on it. Get into a daily habit of spending time in the Word.
“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”
— Psalm 119:11 (NIV)
David, a man after God’s own heart, declared this truth. Our own hearts, however, are “deceitful above all things” (Jeremiah 17:9, NIV). They are not to be trusted, nor should we be led by them. But if we hide Scripture in our hearts, we are far less likely to be led astray by sinful things. We will have the strength and resilience, through Jesus, to resist the temptation that we face. If we do these things, God promises to bless us:
“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”
— James 1:12 (NIV)
What greater reward than the crown of life? The pleasures of sin are fleeting, momentary highs with eternal cost if left unrepented. But the crown of life is eternal. Satan knows our flesh is weak, and he will try to use that to his advantage. But we have a loving and merciful Father who has literally given us the exact instructions for defeating the devil and all his tactics.
“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
— Matthew 26:41 (NIV)
What an encouragement it is to know that even though our flesh is weak, our spirit is willing! Our spirits are created to serve the Lord! This verse in Matthew gives us two instructions: to watch and pray. We must be vigilant, watchful of our surroundings, the situations we put ourselves in, and the people we spend time with. We must also be watchful of the smaller things too—what we listen to, read, see, and talk about. All of these things can open doors to temptation.
We are also called to pray. Prayer should be a part of our daily routines, but we should take specific time to pray against falling into temptation. We know that we will face temptations, but if we make it a point to pray, asking for the strength to resist them, the Lord will be faithful. Temptation is like a pit: the closer you get, the easier it is to fall. Better to avoid the edge altogether.
Of course, we are human, and we will fail. There will be times when we give in. But even then, God’s mercy covers us.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
— 1 John 1:9 (NIV)
As long as we confess our sins and truly repent—which means we turn completely from our sin, ask for forgiveness, and strive to do better—God is faithful to forgive us. Not only that, He promises to purify us from all unrighteousness. What an amazing God we serve!
So yes, resisting temptation is hard. But God has given us a way out. We must make the active choice not to fall into temptation, even when it is challenging, and remember that it is not by our own strength, but with the Lord and His Holy Word. Each time we resist, we build spiritual strength. Each time we deny the flesh, we feed the spirit. God is faithful. He is with you through every trial and tribulation. You are never alone.
Remember also that any temptation you have faced or are currently facing is not unique to you—millions of believers face the same struggles. You are never alone in this fight. God sees you. He loves you. And He will help you.
Keep resisting—the crown of life is worth it.