There is one thing humans have in common, and it is the fact that we all have been tempted and will be tempted one way or the other.
The question I think we should ask ourselves is, why do we give in to temptation? And when you ask ourselves this question, what usually comes to mind are pornography, substance use, masturbation, and overeating.
There are some ways to answer this question, especially if you look at the biblical view.
If I were to pick one reason we give in to temptation, I would say it is because we get tired of fighting the battle. What battle, you ask?
The battle we fight against our flesh feels so hard spiritually, physically, and emotionally and it is not something we can win easily.
Perseverance is a genuinely complex trait, and sometimes it can be uncomfortable, especially when you have given in to temptation so many times.
So many times, temptations seem to have more power over us than we do to fight it, and the thought of another day, even another minute, wrestling with our persistent and insistent desire is too much to handle.
Our mind always tells us it is easier to give in and move on rather than continue to resist, and I am sure we all have gone through this scenario before.
When you stand at the cusp of capitulating to the satanic lie, "Futility of Resistance", then what else can we do? and who can guide us to abstaining from temptations.
You should always look towards God's word because that is where all his teachings and ideas are.
James 1:14 tells us this, But every man is tempted when drawn away of his lust and enticed.
From this scripture, we can tell that what causes temptation is our lust, and the moment we give in to our lust, we will ultimately fall into temptation.
The first step towards overcoming temptation is recognizing our human tendency to be seduced by our fleshly carvings.
The temptation to sin is already a given, and no one can escape from it, and you shouldn't be surprised by it; we should all expect to be tempted in our lifetime, and you should be prepared for it.
1 Peter 5:8, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, is walking about, seeking who he will devour:."
The devil is always looking for his next victim; that is why the Bible tells us always to be alert of his tricks and schemes and try to defeat him anytime he comes to us.
There is no temptation on earth that we can't overcome because God has already prepared a way for us to escape, and he will never give us a trial above us.
When you come face to face with temptation, instead of giving in to it, look for a way out because God has already promised us a way out, like when a stranger talks to you, run as fast as you can when tempted.
The greatest weapon we have is the word of God, and with it, we can overcome all principalities, trials, and temptations that come our way.
Even Jesus, when he was on earth, was tempted, which shows that the devil is not afraid of anyone; he was even willing to tempt Jesus, seeing he was fasting and in a vulnerable state.
When reading the Bible, you notice that God always shows us people who have gone through so many tribulations, and he always uses them to teach us something.
When Jesus was tempted, he didn't give in to it. Instead, he used the scriptures to fight the devil, and ultimately he won the battle.
Ephesians 6:12
For you do not wrestle with flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, Kings/Queens of the darkness of the age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
We should all understand that we are not fighting a physical battle where we need swords and clubs; instead, we are fighting a spiritual one, and the only way we can win is by using the word of God.
Jesus was able to overcome the devil and his temptation because he had the word of God, and if it was able to work for him, what makes you think it won't work for you.
He was a human just like you and me, so he understands the troubles we go through, and that is why we should always learn from him.
While using God's word to overcome temptation is helpful, it may not always be practical.
Instead of reading God's word only when you are overcoming temptation, I recommend reading it every day, so you understand it more, and it becomes one with you.
When you become one with God's word, you will always be ready for anything the devil throws at you.
I appreciate you reading my article, and I will see you in the next one!
We're going to sin regardless of what we do. Of course we should be in God's word, praying and making every effort to be obedient, but even Paul spoke about this in Romans 7.
"We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[c] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it" (Romans 7:14-20, NIV).