TEMPTATION & OVERCOMING
"No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it" ( 1 Cor. 10:13).
Temptations may differ for different persons, especially it will only increase for a true baptized Christian, to cause us to stray off the path that leads to godly living. ‘Troubling
addiction , Betraying thought , Compromising situation are some of them.’
It is written in James 1:14-15 that “but each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin; and sin when it is full-grown brings forth death.”
Notice the sequence:
Bible says, Jesus was "tempted in all things," yet without sin ( Heb. 4:15).
WHAT DOES TEMPTATION REALLY MEANS ?
Temptation is one of the enemy's most powerful "strategy" for misleading God's beloved people ( Eph. 6:11, 16). It causes us to focus on the "earthly pleasures" ( Heb. 11:25) of sin instead of the eternal life or rich rewards of serving God with a pure heart. Temptation is often strongest when we are at our weakest. In fact, the longer we allow it to ferment in our thoughts the more dangerous temptation becomes. Therefore, we must learn to recognize temptation and keep it in check .The Bible says, "Each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death" ( James 1:14,15). Thus, our own lusts give temptation its power over us. Temptation says, "It's okay to sin just a little bit." But nothing could be further from the truth ( Num. 32:23; Prov. 15:3). In God's eyes, there are no "small" or "big" sins ( James 2:10). The wages of sin is always death ( Rom. 6:23).
When we are tempted, we often convince ourselves that we can hide our sin. But as men and women since the beginning of time have discovered, there is no hiding from God. "Thou hast searched me and know me." David said. "Even before there is a word on my tongue, behold, O Lord, thou dost know it all" ( Psalm 139:1,4).
Our tempting thoughts also try to undermine or twist the meaning of the Scriptures. When Jesus was "led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted" ( Matt. 4:1), the tempter twisted God's Word in an attempt to lead Jesus astray.
Ultimately, temptation tries to silence the voice of the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus promised to send to "guide you into all truth" ( John 16:13). By tuning out the Holy Spirit's voice, we fool ourselves into thinking that we can make it on our own.
OVERCOMING TEMPTATION
Temptation can be difficult to resist. But God has not left us as helpless victims of temptation. He has promised a "way of escape" ( 1 Cor. 10:13) to all who trust in Him. The "way" is not a program, but a person: Jesus Christ. Jesus not only cleanses us from sin, He also understands our temptations ( Heb. 4:15-16). That's why we can come to Him for help . If you have not yet placed your trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior of your life, no matter how "good" your life is, you will never be able to overcome temptation and sin ( Isa. 64:6; Rom. 3:23). First, you need to find new life in Christ ( John 3:16-17). Simply believe in your heart that Jesus was raised from the dead and confess with your mouth that "Jesus is Lord" and the Bible says you will be saved ( Rom. 10:9-10).
‘Even I have been tempted a lot especially when I got baptized and for many years I have been trapped in dark room. Until god showed me light & gave me punishment as any father do.’
HOW TO STAY AWAY FROM TEMPTATION AFTER YOU HAVE OVERCOME IT?
Even the most loyal followers of Christ can be tempted ( Heb. 12:1). Even JESUS CHRIST was tempted while living on this earth.
How to ask God to "lead us not into temptation" -Read ( Matt. 6:13).
The following principles can help you fight-and win-against temptation.
1.Be honest with God. Flee from the temptation as soon as you recognize it ( 2 Tim. 2:22).
2.Recognize your enemy. There is an enemy, the devil, who "prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" ( 1 Peter 5:8). This enemy will use any temptation to draw you away from God.
3.Resist through Jesus! Go to the Lord and receive mercy and grace in your time of need (Heb. 4:15-16). Satan tries to discourage us through isolation, telling us our temptation is unique. This simply isn't true ( 1 Cor. 10:13).
4.Give Thanks. In the midst of the struggle, thank God for the opportunity to experience the victory through Him ( Rom. 5:1-5).
Prayer is Answered in God’s Timing
We may have a doubt as to why god doesn’t answer our prayers even after we live according to the bible.
God expects us to wait patiently on His perfect timing (Psalm 66:18). In Hebrews 10:36, “For you have need of patience, that, after you have done the will of God, you might receive the promise.” Daniel had to wait three weeks before his prayer was answered, God had actually answered his prayer that very day that he prayed. Don’t think that since God does not immediately reveal to you His answer, that He has not answered it and has not answered it right away.
We may also think that there is only one answer for our prayers i.e. ‘YES’ . We as believers should understand that he can give an answer as ‘NO’ also.
Some important verses regarding temptations :-
a)James 1:2-3, 13-- We grow as we overcome temptation
b)Ephesians 5:15-21 -- Keys to walking uprightly
c)Hebrews 12:1-13 -- Encouragement in Christ
ALEN ALEX MANOJ
