Every dedicated believer knows the frustration of succumbing to the temptation
to do evil. We long to be pure like our blessed Savior is pure, but the
enemies of our soul (the flesh, the world, and the devil) are powerful.
To be sure, we face a formidable enemy, but our resource for victory is infinite.
"Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." Knowing the
strength of the indwelling Holy Spirit does not automatically bring victory
over temptation. God has given the believer instruction and resources to
defeat temptation, but He does not fight the battle. God has left that to
us.
The Bible gives many examples of believers who were defeated by temptation.
Abraham faithlessly went into Egypt and lied about Sarah. Moses struck
the rock instead of speaking to it, disobeying and dishonoring the Lord.
David fell into adultery and then tried to cover his sin by committing murder.
The mighty prophet Elijah fell to discouragement and depression. Peter denied
Jesus, and Mark quit because the way was too hard. Sad as these tragic tales
of personal defeat are, they can encourage us by letting us know that no
one is above defeat. "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is
common to man." The wonderful end is that each terrible defeat ended in
repentance and restored usefulness. Victory came out of defeat. What a wonderful
God we have!
The Bible also gives some gems of individual victory over temptation.
Joseph wonderfully overcame the temptation of sexual sin. He realized the
wickedness of sin, that He was a representative of God, and that he could
not keep sin private. He knew his sin would affect others. He defeated
the enemy of the flesh. The pivotal defeat of temptation came in the earthly
life of our Lord. Jesus faced temptation in three realms (lust of the flesh,
lust of the eye, and the pride of life), and scored a sound victory over
each. Jesus set the example for us in the skillful use of the Word of God
in overcoming temptation. The believer that allows the word of Christ to
dwell in him richly has the greatest tool for defeating temptation. "Thy
word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against Thee."
We are not helpless in the face of temptation. Starting the battle against
the enemy does, however, require a willing desire to be pure. We also must
remember that in some temptations we face the only way of victory is to run
away. "Flee youthful lusts," "flee fornication," and, "flee these things"
are not idle statements, but stern warnings. That is the only way to defeat
these temptations.
No battle, including the battle against temptation, is ever won accidentally.
It takes planning and preparation to win a battle against a powerful foe.
If we are to be victors over temptation, we must first prepare ourselves.
We must know our weaknesses where the enemy is most likely to attack. Is
it temper, or gossip, or maybe a fleshly lust that tempts us? Let us know
our weaknesses, and then be ready for that moment of attack. Temptation
must not catch us unaware. Let us store up some Scripture that will help
us defeat this temptation. Then let us pray as Jesus taught, "lead us not
into temptation." Do you pray that God will spare you from temptation's
snare?
No, we cannot stop temptation from coming our way, but we can defeat it and keep it from turning into sin. May we be diligent warriors against this deadly foe, and come forth as victors so we may have that incorruptible crown to cast at our Savior's feet!