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Winning over Temptation

Temptation troubles us all. All of us are targets of the tempter. All of us feel the lure of the world. All of us experience the appetites of the flesh.

We have an adversary and his name is Satan. Satan is the tempter. He was the tempter in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3). He was the tempter of Jesus in Matthew 4. The tempter is a deceiver. The tempter is a liar. The tempter is a thief.

Despite all the attributes of the tempter, Satan, we are equipped to win over this powerful enemy. 1 John 4:4 (NLT): “But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.”

The Holy Spirit is within every believer. The Holy Spirit is greater in power than our foe. The devil might be stronger than us, but he’s not stronger than our God!

One way for us to win over temptation is in the simple fact that God is faithful. That means He is trustworthy, you can believe Him, and He is reliable.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV): "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."

God limits temptation to that which is common to man. Satan is allowed no untried enticements. The world is allowed no unknown allurements. The flesh is allowed no un-experienced cravings. The temptations that have seized us are the same as what has been plaguing man from the very beginning. Others have been tempted as you are today. You are not the only one. Some have lost the battle. Others have won. But you can win.

God is also faithful to limit temptation to what we can resist. Temptation cannot be “above what you are able to bear”. So you can’t say resisting is impossible for you. God guarantees you are up to the occasion. His grace is sufficient for today’s test.

Every temptation is required to have a way of escape. This is a divinely prepared escape route. God will always “make a way of escape”. This is His way of showing His love.

God may furnish various escape routes when you are tempted: a timely phone call, the appearance of a helpful person, a scripture verse brought to mind, a sermon you remember, etc.

On your darkest day, God makes a way. But will you choose it? This is the key to winning over temptation: choosing the escape route.

As Believers, we find within ourselves contrary urgings. The Spirit sustains our regenerate desires and purposes; but our fallen, Adam-like instincts (the "flesh") which, though dethroned, are not yet destroyed, constantly distract them from doing God's will and lure us along paths that lead to death.

In a culture filled with moral depravity and sin-inducing pressures, 1 Corinthians 10:13 gives us strong encouragement about winning over temptation.

Remember:
(1) wrong desires and temptations happen to everyone, so don't feel you've been singled out;
(2) others have resisted temptation, and so can you;
(3) any temptation can be resisted because God will help you resist it. God helps you resist temptation by helping you
(1) recognize those people and situations that give you trouble,
(2) run from anything you know is wrong,
(3) choose to do only what is right,
(4) pray for God's help, and
(5) seek friends who love God and can offer help when you are tempted.

Are you enduring temptation today? Are you near defeat? Are you about to yield to the tempter? Our Lord has faced the tempter and defeated him. He will give strength and grace for you to triumph and win over temptation.

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