How to overcome temptation | Submit to God
What is temptation?
Temptation is a suggestion with the intent to influence the existing desire that causes you to respond to do that which is wrong. It is a thing or course of action that attracts someone. Anytime you step out of the will of God and do anything contrary to His Word, you are sinning. Giving in to temptation (the suggestion) is a sin. Let us dive into the word of God and study how to overcome temptation.
Similar words to temptation are desire, urge, lure, enticement, seduction, attraction, draw, pull, etc.
Avoiding sin
The enemy is always looking for a way to tempt the people of God. Though the temptation may come in our direction, we can avoid falling into the devil trap. Even Jesus himself experiences enticement but, he would not give in to the enemy lies.
When the enemy is unsuccessful with all his tempting, he will leave you alone.
And when the devil has ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season. Luke 4:13.
Keep in mind that the word, for a season, indicates the probability that the enemy may come again, at another time to tempt you.
Jesus, though he is God, has walked among man in the flesh. He understands the trials we do face in our day-to-day life. Jesus can sympathize with our feelings. He has faced many obstacles but was able to overcome and keep from falling into sin.
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15.
Jesus is the way
We always have to stand on guard, submitting ourselves to the will of our Heavenly Father continually.
Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. Luke 22:28.
These are the words of Jesus, note he used the word temptations with an S, meaning plural. Temptation does not come once in a lifetime but, it takes one sin to mess up big time. Do not let sin mess your life up. Look to Jesus and learn from him.
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7.
But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof. Romans 13:14.
Only through God are we able to overcome the wiles of the enemy.
Drawn to temptation
But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. James 1:14.
Is there something you are struggling with within your life? If so, the enemy will use that very thing to tempt you and cause you to give in to the temptation; if you’re not careful. For you to know how to overcome temptation, you must submit to God.
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
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:
But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
Do not err, my beloved brethren. James 1:12-16.
Pray to overcome temptation
Jesus is used: as an example throughout this message. It is so that you will see that Christ understands your struggle. He knows all too well our troubles. He has been through even as we are going through. We can use the examples he set before us as a guide to help us overcome the thing that will try to pull us down.
If you are struggling with something and worry about giving in to temptation, here is a prayer. I hope that this will help you overcome that issue.
Dear God, I am struggling in my flesh. This thing (name it) is weighing heavy on me. I am afraid of committing sin and letting you down. Lord, I want to do the right thing. I want to please you. Please help me; to overcome all of my troubles. Keep me from falling into sin. Lord, I thank you for hearing my prayer and for helping me. I give myself to you, trusting in you that I am already; set free in the name of Jesus. Amen.
If you believe that, praise the Lord and give Him thanks.
Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30.
The Lord prayer is also a go-to prayer. It touches on temptation. Jesus shows us how to talk to God. Seek the Lord, who is willing and ready to help you.
Resisting the devil
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7.
Now you remember Jesus, was tempted by the enemy. He submitted himself under the authority of God and, he was able to resist the devil. Read here the story about Jesus’ encounter with the enemy and how he overcame temptation.
I want to point out that the bible says; that Jesus was led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit. It was not man, not the will of the flesh, and not the enemy, that led Jesus into the wilderness. Though the enemy tempted Jesus, it was the Spirit of God that led him into the wilderness. There will be another post to come touching on the topic, being led by the Holy Spirit. I believe it will be powerful, the teachings we can learn of God. So stay tuned.
Now back on the topic, I want to stress how important it is to spend time in the word of God. It is a life-saving instrument, that if we live by the word, will preserve our souls in this life and eternity – Life with Jesus.
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Psalms 119:11.
Jesus overcome temptation
Jesus knew the word of God and, so did the enemy. The enemy knows all too well how to twist the word of God. When the enemy tempted Jesus, he perverted the word of God as a way to trick Jesus. But Jesus knew the perfect Word of God. The truth is in his heart. He spoke the word back at every temptation that came his way. And as a result, he was VICTORIOUS!! He can help you overcome temptation. There is power in the living word of God.
Whenever and if ever you are battling with an issue, speak the word of God back to that thing. God says his word will not return void unto him, Isaiah 55:11. God expects a good; report of his word accomplishing what he pleases.
Cry out to Jesus, who is here for you. You do not have to battle this thing on your own. The Lord is here to help you overcome your troubles and be victorious in Jesus’ name.
This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. Psalms 34:6.
For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted. Hebrews 2:18.
Similar words to succor are – help, assistance, comfort, etc.
Continue to make time and read the holy bible, filling up your spirit with the word of truth. Then you will always have a word to speak into your situation. Always be prayerful. Seek God for his leadership and guidance. Listen to the voice of God within you.
Repent your sins
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9.
If you have fallen into temptation thus sinned, CONFESS NOW. Do not let the day go by without confessing your sins. Repentance is a powerful way for you to overcome temptation. It means you are regretful about what you have done.
Boost not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. Proverbs 27:1.
You may not have tomorrow but, you have NOW. As long as there is life in you, you have an opportunity to confess and repent of your sins. Do it quickly. God will forgive a sincere heart and the crown of life, which Christ promises to them that loves God; will remain yours forever.
Overcome temptation and sin
Submit yourself under the authority of God.
He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. John 14:21.
Obedience to God is necessary. There are no if or buts when it comes to submitting to the will of our Heavenly Father. If you want to keep from falling into temptation, yield to the authority of God.
Allow yourself to spend quality time in the word of God also prayer and fasting. Make time for God, as you do everything else. Plan a schedule if that works best for you. At some point, I will put out a plan to help encourage you in this area.
The more you spend time reading the word, the more you learn. And as you begin to learn, you will start to apply the word in your daily walk with Christ. You will discover who God is and who you are in Christ. You will begin to grow in the spirit and develop an understanding of the word of God. Also, you will start to fall in love with the Lord, and your relationship will grow closer and greater in him. You will learn how to walk with Jesus, how to communicate with him. You will start to desire more and more of him.
Self will decrease and, the power of the presence of God within you will increase. It will become more difficult for the enemy to tempt you and impossible for him to succeed. Why? You may ask. Well, that is because you are now deeply rooted in Christ Jesus; you are veil in him.
Shinning light
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Psalms 91:1.
Your light then begins to shine and, your works testify of his goodness. Others begin to take notice and, glorifies God. Your life itself is a testimony of the mercy and the power of God in you.
Read the word of God and be a doer, trusting God with your whole heart, as the Lord leads and directs your path.
Now put on the whole armor of God so that you will be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Continue reading how to over here and overcome temptation.
Thank you for reading this message. I hope this helps you understand how to overcome temptation. Should you be faced with a situation, now you have the right tools to overcome temptation and, that is the word of God.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. Revelation 22:21.
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