Overcoming Temptation
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
1 Corinthians 10:13
This verse is a promise from God: He will not let us be tempted beyond our ability, and He will provide an escape. It is important to know this verse if we want victory over temptation, especially a recurring temptation. Satan knows our weaknesses from observing our behaviors, and he tempts our physical desires at the opportune time. If we depend on the power of God and we know that He provides an escape, we can be victorious.
But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. (James 1:14 ESV) We are tempted by our own fleshly desires which normally triggers our emotions. It is important to call on the Lord for his power at the first thought of the temptation, because if we entertain the thought, it will drive our emotion into accepting the temptation. Each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. (James 1:14-15) Once we are tempted by an evil desire and after desire has conceived, or in other words, when our emotions take control, we yield to the temptation.
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. (2 Corinthians 10:5) If we capture our tempting thought, and immediately change the thought, we can be victorious. We can change the thought to known scriptures to fight Satan, or we can read the Bible. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:21) This verse is the foundation of escaping temptation, and requires we find something good to replace our thoughts. Pray for the Lord to reveal how to escape temptation.
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. (Psalms 119:11 KJV) For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 6:12) When we are tempted, we are not fighting self to overcome, but we are fighting Satan and his demons in the dark forces of the spiritual world.
Today, pray for the Lord’s strength to overcome temptation, and beware when an emotion is leading to sin. Seek self-control from the Spirit and don’t let things of world lead to sin.
Prayer: Lord, guide me to escape every temptation from Satan. Help me to remember scriptures that will change my thoughts and lead me to do good. In Jesus’ name, Amen