How to Conquer Temptation
Read: Luke 4:1-13
What Temptations Do You Face?
The devil is not creative. The temptations you face now (and in the past) are likely the same temptations the devil will use in the future, with slight change in form.
Write down all the significant temptations that you have ever faced even if you think you’ve defeated them. Circle any current temptations.
What Is the Opportune Time in Your Life?
After the devil tempted Jesus and failed, he did not give up. He promised to return at the “opportune time” – when Jesus was weakest. The devil will not give up on you either.
At Jesus’ weakest moment – as He hung on the cross – the devil returned and called on Jesus to save Himself. Jesus resisted the devil by dying on the cross, and He defeated the devil by rising three days later. Jesus is victorious, and so are you. The cross saves us from the penalty and power of sin.
When are you weakest and most vulnerable to the devil’s temptations? What conditions set you up to fail? What are your triggers? (Proverbs 25:28)
Repent and Believe
“Repent and believe the Good News!” (Mark 1:15 NIV).
“Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow” (Psalm 51:7 NLT).
Do you believe freedom is possible? God’s capacity for redemption is greater than your ability to sin. Repent and trust in the grace of God to deliver you.
"For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.
Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are —yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." (Hebrews 2:17-18, 4:15-16 NIV, emphasis added)
At times, we fail to see the true cost of our sin. We may become complacent and begin to accept our sin, thinking it’s not a big deal. Ask God to show you the true cost of sin in your life, in your relationships, and in the lives of others. Repent and believe for freedom.
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1 NIV).
Build a Wall
You must cut out triggers and avoid "opportune" times, even if those things are not inherently bad. Stop comparing yourself to others. Everybody has different vulnerabilities. Just because somebody else can do something without temptation doesn't mean you can.
Are you willing to do whatever it takes to be free?
Stop flirting with evil; start running from it and everything associated with it.
What tempts you? Even if it's rare, cut it out. Avoid it. Stop trusting in your ability to say no. The easiest path to having greater "self-control" is to avoid situations that require it. You will need to say no to some good things (and you will miss them), but are you willing to do whatever it takes to be free?
"Some of the steps that follow may not be easy for you, but the ones you find the hardest will likely prove to be the most important. What is freedom worth to you? If there are things you aren’t willing to give up to get it, you need to reevaluate your priorities" (John Bevere, emphasis added).
Fight Back
Sometimes you might feel helpless and even hopeless; you are not. You know how the devil will tempt you. You know when the devil will tempt you. Don’t be unprepared; build a wall; fight back.
Peacetime habits will not sustain you in war. When you’re at war with sin and temptation, double down on your time with Jesus. If you spend 30 minutes per day during peacetime, double that to an hour during wartime.
When sin and temptation come knocking at the door, don’t answer it. Run to Jesus. Run to accountability.
TIP: Memorize scripture (see resource, "The Power of Memorizing and Meditating on Scripture")
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7 ESV)
How can you equip yourself for those triggers and moments of vulnerability? Or how can you avoid them entirely?
Never Fight Alone
God has already set us free from sin and death. The devil is powerless to stop Him, but he is wily. He may not be able to chain us, but he has a crafty weapon to convince us to re-chain ourselves: shame. Don’t let shame in.
Shame before repentance is from God and is meant to bring you back to Him. Shame after repentance is from Satan and is meant to keep you away from God.
Shame is born in the darkness and attempts to trap us in sin. It isolates us from the community of believers. It tells us that we're not good enough and steals our hope and joy. Shame is often worse than the sin that caused it, but here's the deal. Shame cannot live in the light.
Confess your sin and temptation to a friend. Share your battle plan; ask them to help. Continually confess when you fall. Get back up; rejoice again in your salvation; fight on. The devil works in darkness, so turn the lights on.
Where Are You in the Struggle?
Which Statements Do You Relate to?
"I know I shouldn't do this, but I keep doing it."
"I tried to quit, but I haven't been able to."
"I want to quit, and I am willing to do whatever is necessary to do so."
"I have had some success in stopping this sin, but I continue to have lapses."
"I know I shouldn't do this, but I feel out of control."
"I know I shouldn't do this, but I don't see why I should stop.”
"I know I shouldn't do this, but I don't want to stop now."
"I can stop anytime I decide to, but I'm not ready to stop now."
"I know it's wrong, but I'm the only one it's affecting."
