How To Resist Temptation

Temptation is difficult, ugly, and deceitful. However, Scripture gives us great encouragement when it comes to temptation and our response as followers of Christ.

1 Corinthians 10:13 – No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. 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 stand up under it.

This is awesome news to us! Think about it, the Bible states that all temptations we face each and every day is common to man. All men and women face temptation every day and we can all relate to each other in this matter. While it’s quite difficult at times to resist temptation to the things of this world, but what comes next in this passage?

Immediately afterwards, the Bible states God is faithful and he will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear.  God will never let us be tempted to sin beyond what we can handle which means we always have the opportunity to resist temptation. As followers of Christ, we have the Holy Spirit working within us, which means that when things come our way that we can’t handle in our own flesh, we can rely on the Spirit to lead us out of temptation, where nothing is too big.

Let’s be joyful even in the midst of failure because it makes much of the cross and glorifies Jesus.

I don’t know about you, but there are times I’m tempted (every day) and sometimes think the temptation is so powerful that there is no way I can say no. Sometimes I think there is absolutely no way I am going to be able to avoid this, but I must remind myself that God will never let me be tempted beyond what I can bear. God is right there with us…always…and we can stand up and resist temptation as we hold fast to Scripture! Do you believe this?

How Do We Resist Temptation?

So the question is, how do we do it? On the last part of this verse, the Bible states “but when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” That is it! That is our answer! God will always provide us a way out. All we have to do is pray to God for Him to give us the wisdom and help open our eyes to notice when He is giving us our way out. We must hold fast to His Word which includes not only reading it, but doing it as well. The Bible is where we will find guidance, strength, and reminders that we have the Holy Spirit in us because of what Jesus has done.

Here are some common spiritual attacks that Satan tries to throw our way and what the Bible says about them.

What Happens When We Fail?

We will fail at times because we are still sinful in need of a Savior, but we must be reminded of what Jesus has done and that God has still forgiven us. Something great about failure is that when we fail, we are given an opportunity. We can either sulk in the guilt of it and let that determine who we are and how we will react, or we can see just how much we are in need of our Savior and let the cross become bigger for us each day. We can choose our identity in self or our identity in Christ in these moments.

For those who have trusted Christ as their Lord and Savior, all past, present, and future sins have been forgiven. When we live in a way that sulks in guilt like we have not been forgiven for our sins, we proclaim what Jesus did wasn’t enough. Let’s be joyful even in the midst of failure because it makes much of the cross and glorifies Jesus. Let’s trust in the Holy Spirit to lead us and resist temptation today.

Questions: Do you feel tempted daily? How have you resisted temptation? Please feel free to comment below and join the discussion.

Mike Mobley

Follower of Christ, Husband to Joelle, Father to Peyton & Matthew, Finance & Operations Pastor at 121 Community Church, SAG-AFTRA Actor, Founder of Before The Cross, Owner of MMWCS, and Podcast Host for the Not Quite There Show.

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