Overcoming Temptation

C.S. Lewis in his book, Mere Christianity makes the case that resisting temptation is not an easy task. “A silly idea is current that good people do not know what temptation means. This is an obvious lie. Only those who try to resist temptation know how strong it is... A man who gives in to temptation after five minutes simply does not know what it would have been like an hour later. That is why bad people, in one sense, know very little about badness. They have lived a sheltered life by always giving in.”

Being tempted does not mean that you have sinned, nor does it mean that you will.  Jesus’ temptations are proof that one is not sinning when he/she is being tempted.  It is important, however, to have strategies for dealing with all the temptations we will face in our lives.  There are practical ways to deal with temptations that will leave each of us feeling better about ourselves without having to deal with the aftermath of guilt.  

Stay away from vulnerable situations. We must stay away from people and situations that will cause us to compromise our convictions.  Will Roger is right when he said, “The road to success is dotted with many tempting parking spaces.” Keeping ourselves out of parking spaces that will affect our vulnerability is crucial for our success in saying no to whatever is tempting us. 

Pray throughout the temptation. The closing remarks in the Lord’s Prayer Jesus said, “And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.” (NLT)   (Matthew 6:13).  A prayerful lifestyle will divert our desires to do wrong in order to keep our spiritual convictions in tack.  If we have the philosophy of Oscar Wilde when he said, “The only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it... I can resist everything but temptation” we will never experience the triumph to overcome and resist those things in our lives that can ultimately destroy relationships, jobs, friendships, or integrity.  Prayer is one the best method to keep from yielding to temptation.  

Take being tempted seriously.  Temptation is serious and must never be taken lightly.  It is important to resist any desire that would rob our relationship with God, Jesus, and Spirit.  

James 4:7-8 says, Submit yourselves, then to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Come near to God and he will come near to you….”  The moment we let our guard down, is the very moment we become vulnerable and more likely we give in to the temptation.  

While it is extremely important to be bible reading and praying to God kind of people, it is also important to have accountability with someone who will be straight up and honest with us.  And, who only has our best interest at heart.  We must stay focused and stay away from those things that will harm us!  Never keep God out of it!  Keep Jesus center stage.  Allow the Spirit to do the convincing that God's way is the right way.

Remember, Be God Controlled!

Brian