Stop Being Weak, Resist Temptation
Pick Up Your Sword and Fight (or Flee)
Brethren, we are much too willing to give into temptation the moment it rears its ugly face. It’s as if we have no ground to stand on which is untrue since we have Christ as our rock.
If we hate the sin and that which tempts us to commit such sin, would we not also have the desire to push back? Just because we experience temptation does not mean we have to give into the pressure.
In fact, we should do the exact opposite, which is probably not news to anyone.
What is Temptation?
The Webster’s 1828 dictionary lists temptation as the “enticement to evil by arguments, by flattery, or by the offer of some real or apparent good.”
When we look up the word temptation in the King James Bible, we see the word occurs sixteen times in fifteen different verses. One of which is in the old testament. Psalms 95:8 uses the word when reminding us not to harden our hearts as they did with Moses in the wilderness.
The translated temptation here is מַסָּה pronounced mas-saw’. The Strong’s concordance defines this word as “a testing” from either men or God.
I find this interesting since we read the following in James 1:13:
Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: (James 1:13 KJV)
Strong’s defining temptation as “a testing” would fit with this verse since God does not tempt us to sin but likely permits us to experience temptation as a test and refinement of our faith.
As for the New Testament, we see the word temptation in the remaining fourteen verses as Strong’s number G3986, πειρασμός, pronounced pi-ras-mos’. To which the Strong’s concordance defines as “a putting to proof”; a very similar idea to that which is defined in the Hebrew.
With these two words, translated as temptation, we must define the word as a testing or proving.
Our Prime Example of Withstanding Temptation
Our King, Jesus Christ, shows us how to experience temptation without giving in and committing sin. He withstood every temptation which crossed His path without giving into the sin which His flesh likely desired.
Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. (Matthew 4:1 KJV)
And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. (Luke 4:1-2 KJV)
The rest of Matthew 4 and Luke 4 have the full account of his temptation in the wilderness. This is our prime example of keeping our minds focused on God during waves testing and proving.
Christ addresses every temptation with Old Testament scripture and in doing so, shows the foolishness of the sin in which He was tempted.
Flight is Also a Strategy We Must Employ
However, we are not perfect as Christ is perfect and so we have another way of escape.
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God [is] faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear [it]. (1 Corinthians 10:13 KJV)
Paul also tells us to flee several times in relation to temptation an sin. He tells us to flee from idolatry in 1 Corinthians 10:14.
Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. (1 Corinthians 10:14 KJV)
In 1 Timothy 6:11 he tells us to flee again and to pursue “righteousness, goodness, faith, love, patience,” and meekness.
But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. (1 Timothy 6:11 KJV)
Then again, in 2 Timothy 2:22, he tells us to flee and this time in relation to “youthful lusts”.
Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. (2 Timothy 2:22 KJV)
It’s Time To Stop Being Weak Against Temptations
The time is now to step up and stop letting our temptations rule us. Christ is the Victor. He has defeated sin and death. Our King, Jesus Christ, is the solid rock to stand upon and cleave unto when a all tempest comes.
Fight back with the entirety of scripture and, if needed, flee! There is no reason to stick around if our wielding of the Sword of the Spirit cannot kill the temptation.
Fleeing may look like leave an area, but it’s more likely taking things out of your life that cause you to sin. Start with your social media feeds and the rest of your mobile devices. For these can easily become a stumbling block in the resistance of sin.
Brothers, we can weather the tempests of temptation and it will pass, for all temptation will come to an eventual end. Run to Christ the moment temptation starts. Plead to God the Father for the protection our King provides and for the guidance we receive by the Holy Ghost.
Attention: My Brother in Christ
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