Life offers many good things. However, in the midst of this wonderful life we are confronted with the problem of temptation. From the beginning, God allowed the devil to put temptations in the paths of men. This was allowed “for our good”. Actually trials and temptations bring out the best, or the worse, in us depending on how we react (James_1:2thru4).

Temptation is not sin but yielding certainly is. God will not allow the devil to tempt us “above what we can bear”. In fact, God sends us a way of escape for every temptation (1Corinthians_10:13) but we must look for it. Isn't that wonderful to know? Yielding to temptation will bring a few moments of pleasure to the flesh but will do nothing good for the spirit. And yielding to sin will have a devastating effect on our lives for years to come. Oh, if we could remember to ask ourselves, "Is this short-lived pleasure worth the years of regret that I will most certainly experience?" Most of the time when we are tempted, we are not thinking as we should. If ever there was a time when we need to pray, it is when we are tempted to do something that we know we ought not to do. Jesus said, "Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation.” (Matthew_26:41).  

I have listed some truths that can help in times of temptation:

1. Consider The One Who Is Doing The Tempting: Satan is responsible for all temptation and is, in fact, called the tempter (Matthew_4:1-3). He is our worst enemy and if he can influence us to yield to him, he has accomplished his purpose in your life. He wants you to lose your soul to him. We have permission to abhor evil, "Abhor (abstain from) that which is evil; cleave to that which is good" (Romans_12:9). If I am to hate evil, then I must hate the source of evil, the devil. The word evil is of the "D"evil (John_8:44; 1John_3:8). When we are tempted, surely we don't want to yield to the one who introduced sin into the world, who is a murderer, who is the father of all deceit, and is, without any doubt, the worst enemy we have. James_4:7 -- "Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." In life, we have the choice of submitting to God and resisting the devil or resisting God and submitting to the devil.  

2. Realize That Each Of Us Has The Capacity To Sin: I am told of a golfer who once lost his temper on the golf course and a friend he was with put his arm around his friend and said, Paul said in Ephesians_4:26 - 'be angry and sin not' and you have the first part of that passage down really well." He was right because his friend was angry and had sinned. It is easy to think something you ought not to think; say something you ought not to say; and do something you ought not to do.  

God didn't make us sinners. But one of the essential things in overcoming temptation is to admit when we sin. When we are guilty of sin, then we have the capacity to sin. You don't have to be a Harvard graduate to understand that (1 Jn. 1:8-10). How strong you are today has nothing to do with the temptations you will face tomorrow. Don't think for a moment that you are too strong to yield to temptation. Some of the strongest people I have known have yielded to sin and fallen away from God (1Corinthians_10:12).  

The people of Israel thought they were strong but they yielded and it led to their destruction. If others have messed up their lives by yielding, I need to remember that I have the capacity to do the same. The wisest person is the one who learns from the mistakes of others. I must realize that I can yield to temptation which will lead to the loss of spiritual life on earth and the loss of eternal life in the  world to come. This will help me to think like I ought to think when confronted with temptation. Remember, nothing that is worth the loss of your soul, nothing. 

3. We Have A Merciful Father And Loving High Priest Willing To Forgive.  Christ left heaven to live on this earth, died on the cross, arose from the dead, and ascended to God's right hand to be our Mediator and Advocate. It will help us when we are confronted with temptation to remember how merciful God has been throughout our lives. Our past sins have hurt Him enough. If I truly love Him, I won’t continue to hurt Him. It will help you when you are confronted with temptation to remember that you are not any stronger than David or Paul. We must admit that we are weak enough to fail when we are influenced by the devil. Keep in mind that God loves you and wants you to return home. He is willing to wipe the slate clean if you will repent and meet His terms for forgiveness. The hero of the parable “the prodigal son” was neither of the sons, the hero was the loving father. Deciding now to give the rest of your life to the Lord is the best way to resist the devil (Ephesians_4:27; 6:11).   

Original Article by R.J. Stephens, Edited by Bill Watkins