Resisting Temptations

Do you have the strength to resist temptations? Perhaps this answer depends on the temptation itself. I don't know about you, but there are some temptations I can resist and others not so much, would you agree?

Let's define what temptation means: it's the desire to do something, especially something wrong or unwise. The key word in this statement is: "unwise".

Romans 7:15-17 NIV

"I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me."

Most times we think of temptations as having a sweet tooth or snacking all day. But let's look at other areas where we may be tempted.

• When you face a difficult situation are you tempted to get angry, frustrated or want to give up?

• Are you ever tempted to gossip, grumble or complain?

• Maybe you have been tempted to doubt, thinking your circumstance will not turn out the way you need or hope?

• We may even be tempted to believe a lie we've told ourselves at a young age, thinking it will prevent us from being hurt. However, as we mature, we begin to see that we have trust issues because of those lies we believed at a young age. Note: if you can relate to this, know that I have coaching tools that can help you overcome these lies, I hope you will reach out!

You may find the closer you walk with the Lord the harder it becomes for you let go of certain temptations. I can certainly attest to this, because our flesh wants to say yes to every opportunity the devil gives us and yet we must withstand these temptations.

Matthew 16:24 NIV

"Then Jesus said to his disciples, "if anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."

So the question we need to ask ourselves is what is God asking you to deny yourself of?

1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV reminds us that,

"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."

Here's a few Scriptures for you to meditate on:

Mark 14:38 NIV - "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."

Ephesians 4:26-27 NIV - In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold."

James 4:7 NIV - Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

Hebrews 2:18 NIV - "Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted." You can read about Jesus' temptations in Matthew chapter 4.

There are two ways that you can fight against temptations on a daily basis:

Put on the Armor of God

(Ephesians 6:10-18)

Pray the Lord's Prayer

(Matthew 6:9-15)

vs 13 "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one."

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 NIV reminds us of one important factor that we cannot overlook and that is we cannot fight our temptations with earthly weapons. It says, "The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of this world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."

So my prayer for each one of us is that we will stand firm as 1 Corinthians 15:58 tells us and not let anything move us. If we keep God's perspective of our temptations, we can overcome every single one of them. There is nothing that God cannot help us overcome. Luke 1:37 NIV "For nothing is impossible for God."

1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV

"Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."

Written by: Jill Theriault

Crossroads Coaching - @crossroadscoachingongodstime