You Can Resist Temptation!

I WILL RESIST everything except temptation. ” Some say it jokingly. This shows that for them, temptation is desirable. For others, it may be an enemy they want to defeat.

When faced with temptation, should you submit to it or should you resist it? Of course, not all temptations lead to big problems. For example, you will not be harmed if you eat a slice of cake when you are on a diet. But giving in to another temptation — such as immorality — can be disastrous.

The Bible warns: “Anyone committing adultery. . . is heartbroken; he that does it is bringing his own soul to ruin. ”- Proverbs 6:32, 33. When you are tempted to commit immorality, what should you do? The Bible says: “This is what God wills, the sanctifying of you, that you abstain from fornication; that each of you should know how to subdue his own vessel of sanctification and honor. ” (1 Thessalonians 4: 3, 4)

How can you strengthen your resolve to resist temptation? There are three steps that can help you.

Step 1: Watch your eyes looking at obscene pictures or shows will only intensify wrong desires.

To illustrate the connection between lust and lust, Jesus warned: “Everyone that keeps on looking at a woman so as to have a passion for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Using a clear hyperbole, he said: "If your right eye causes you to stumble, pluck it up and throw it away." (Matthew 5:28, 29) The lesson? To resist temptation, be determined not to look at pornography.

DO you like it Of course not! You will definitely turn away or cover your eyes. Similarly, if you catch a glimpse of something obscene — in literature, on the show, or in the actual setting — immediately look away. Be careful not to contaminate your mind. John, a former pornography addict, said: “When I see a beautiful woman, I get distracted a few times. So I try to look away, and I say to myself: 'Pray to Jehovah! Now! 'When I pray, the desire is gone. ”- Matthew 6: 9, 13; 1 Corinthians 10:13. Consider also the faithful man Job, who said: “I have made a covenant with my eyes. So how can I pay attention to a girl? ” (Job 31: 1) Why not imitate Job's determination? Try this: If you catch a glimpse of a lewd image, take your eyes off it immediately. Imitate the Bible writer who prayed: “Make my eyes pass on from seeing what is worthless.” - Psalm 119: 37.

If you catch a glimpse of something obscene, immediately look away

• Step 2: Guard Your Mind Because we are all imperfect, we may at times find it difficult to resist wrong desires.

• The Bible states: “Each one is tried by being drawn out and enticed by his own desire. Then the desire, when it has conceived, bears sin. ” (James 1:14, 15) How can you avoid getting into such a situation?

When you have wrong desires, remember that you can do something. Fight those desires. Take them out of your mind. Avoid immoral fantasies. Troy, who became addicted to Internet pornography, says: “I have struggled to eradicate negative thoughts by focusing on positive thoughts.

It is not easy. I have been tempted many times. But later I learned to control my mind. ” Elsa, who resisted the temptation to commit immorality when she was a teenager, recalls, “I was so busy and praying to Jehovah that I avoided wrong thoughts.”

TRY THIS

: When immoral things come to your mind, stop immediately and pray. Fight false reasoning by thinking of “anything that is true, anything that is serious, anything that is righteous, anything that is clean, anything that is lovely, anything that has a good report, anything to him belong the healing and all the praiseworthy things. ”- Philippians 4: 8.

When immoral things come to your mind, stop immediately and pray

Step 3: Watch Your Steps When desire, temptation, and opportunity go hand in hand, problems follow. (When immoral things come to your mind, stop immediately and prayWhen immoral things come to your mind, stop immediately and prayWhen immoral things come to your mind, stop immediately and prayProverbs 7: 6-23) How can you avoid becoming a victim?

The Bible counsels: “Shrewd is the one that has seen the calamity and proceeds to conceal himself, but the inexperienced have passed along and must suffer the penalty.” (Proverbs 22: 3) So guard your steps.

Think in advance of situations that could give rise to problems, and avoid them. (Proverbs 7:25) Philip, who overcame pornography, said: “I put our computer in a public place, and I installed Internet filter software.

I only go online when someone else sees. ” Troy, mentioned earlier, states: “I avoid watching seductive movies and associating with people who talk about sex. I do not want to put myself in danger. ” Try this: Honestly examine your weaknesses and plan ahead to avoid situations that could expose you to temptation. — Matthew 6:13.

I only go online when someone else sees ”

DO NOT GIVE UP

What if despite your efforts you are still tempted? Do not be discouraged and give up. The Bible says: “The righteous one may fall even seven times, and he will certainly get up.” (Proverbs 24:16) Yes, our heavenly Father encourages us to “get up.” Will you accept his loving help? Do not get tired of prayer. Study his Word to strengthen your faith. Attend Christian meetings to strengthen your resolve. Let God's promise strengthen you: “I will fortify you. I will really help you. ”- Isaiah 41:10. Cody, mentioned at the outset, states: “I worked hard to overcome my addiction to pornography.

There are many obstacles, but with God's help, I have overcome them. ” Dylan, also mentioned earlier, states: “I would have been tempted to have sex with my coworker if I had not been firm and rejected him.

The sweetness of feeling to have a clean conscience. Most of all, I know that Jehovah is pleased with me. ” If you stand firm and resist temptation, you can be sure that God will be pleased with you too! —Proverbs 27:11.