Face A Temptation To Sin Is To Struggle With A Desire To Misuse Or

face a temptation to sin is to struggle with a desire to misuse or abuse what God has intended for your good and appropriate use. However, the Christian can turn temptation into a blessing. The areas of life through which Satan seeks to destroy you are revealed to you through temptation. It reveals your impurities (sinfulness), much like the flux used by a metallurgist. Flux causes impurities to rise to the surface of molten metal so that they can be removed. Confess your sinfulness and claim God’s promise that forgiveness and cleansing will follow repentance (1 John 1:9). What Scripture Says “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.... Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been proved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him” (James 1:2,3,12). “Finally brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy meditate on these things” (Philippians 4:8). “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). “But You are holy, who inhabit the praises of Israel” (Psalm 22:3). “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name” (Hebrews 13:15). top of page How To Overcome Temptation Your first need, as always, is to be born again and to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Even though you have become a Christian, there may be areas of weakness that are hindering you from living an overcoming, abundant life. Allow the Holy Spirit to be your counsellor and your strength to resist temptation. He will convict you of what is right and wrong (John 16:7-11). You can be just as “chained” to sin by trying not to commit it, as you are when you commit it. Temptation serves to “chain” you to your sinfulness, even though it is not yielded to. That is because your focus of attention is given over to the temptation. The Bible says, “He who sows to his flesh, will reap corruption” (Galatians 6:7,8). When you occupy your mind with sinfulness, you are paid the wages of sin (Romans 6:23). The way to overcome temptation is to change your thinking patterns. When you keep your focus of attention on the things of God (Philippians 4:8), there is perfect peace and freedom from temptation (Isaiah 26:3). It is a matter of ministering to God rather than to your flesh by offering sacrifices of praise to Him continually (Hebrews 13:15). Ask God to give you the fruit of the Spirit, so that you will not be controlled by your fleshly and intellectual lusts or pride. The fruit of the Spirit love, joy, peace,

long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control will give you the ability to overcome temptation (Galatians 5:19-23; 1 John 2:16). As you think in your heart, so are you. What you read, watch and listen to determines what you think. Therefore, you should carefully evaluate and replace destructive thinking patterns with wholesome material. Fellowship with Spirit-filled Christians is also very important. This will help you redefine your life and provide you with needed spiritual nourishment and growth. top of page As You Pray Thank and praise God in every situation of temptation (Ephesians 5:20) and for giving you victory over it. Thank Him for revealing your sinfulness and for showing you the way to overcome it as He promised. top of page Suggested Reading Read Prison To Praise and other books by Merlin Carothers, Change From The Inside Out by Larry Crabb, Renewal Of The Mind by Larry Christianson, and Telling Yourself The Truth by William Backus & Marie Chapian. Examples of resisting and overcoming temptation:

AbrahamGenesis 14:23 Elisha2 Kings 5:16 JobJob 2:9,10 Refusing wineJeremiah 35:5,6; Daniel 1:8; Proverbs 31:4,5 Refusing worldly honourLuke 4:5-8; Acts 8:20 OvercomingRevelation 2:7; 12:11; John 16:33