How do we resist temptation? Unfortunately, it’s impossible to completely avoid its whisper. Everyone faces its offer of easy (but destructive) pleasure. Even Christ was tempted in the wilderness, so rather than trying to hide from temptation, we have to understand it and learn how to overcome its attack.
In part 5 of our podcast series on what many call The Lord’s Prayer, we look at our struggle with temptation by discussing Matthew 6:13:
And don’t let us yield to temptation,
but rescue us from the evil one.(Matthew 6:13 NLT)
Based on the Greek language, this verse may be better translated, “Don’t let our temptation be carried inward.”
And that’s the trick, isn’t it? What’s the best way to resist a temptation, preventing it from turning inward where it will undoubtedly become sin. The MP3 of the podcast above goes into more detail about what temptation is and how it’s different from a season of testing in our lives, but let’s focus on the big question: How do we beat it?
JESUS MODELS THREE WAYS TO OVERCOME TEMPTATION:
You can read the complete story in Matthew 4:1-11, but when Jesus was about to start His public ministry, He was baptized and immediately went into the wilderness for a time of fasting and to be tempted. Why would He (led by the Holy Spirit) purposefully face temptation? It’s part of the human condition. It was part of fulfilling His role as the Messiah and allowed Him to experience and sympathize with our suffering. It also gives us a model to follow. Jesus is the only perfect example of how to overcome temptation. So what tactics did He employ?
1. A Connection with the Father, led by the Spirit
The passage says Jesus was led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit. There are many examples in the Bible to show Jesus was in continual communion with the Spirit and always connected to the will of the Father. This wasn’t a magical connection, Jesus sought it. He regularly went to a quiet place to communicate with the Father. In preparation for His ministry, the Spirit led Him to leave all forms of physical comfort behind so He wouldn’t be distracted.
Scripture promises we have continual access to the Father through the Spirit as well. How often do we listen? How often do we avail ourselves of that power, and what are we willing to give up to hear it more clearly? That brings us to the second point.
2. Self-Denial
In order to better connect with the Father, Jesus fasts for 40 days. That’s a long time to go without food, and Satan tempted Jesus to transform the rocks into bread. Christ, of course, could have made bread from the stones. We would later see him feed 5,000 men with a few small biscuits. But the enemy was trying to produce pride in Jesus, “If you are the Son of God…” But the very point of the fast was for Jesus to show humility before the Father, putting His spiritual relationship above his physical needs.
What are we putting ahead of our connection to the Father? Maybe it is food, but in our culture, it’s likely food, technology, social media, entertainment, and comfort. The fruit of temptation is self-indulgence, so the vaccine to its effect is practicing self-denial.
3. The Revelation of Scripture
The Enemy used scripture in his attempt to trick Jesus into sin. Completely out of context, he twisted Christ’s own Word to justify selfish behavior. But through the revelation of scripture’s truth, Jesus was able to refute Satan’s misuse of scripture. In fact, Jesus used scripture to resist all three temptations.
We’re not likely to have the same grasp of scripture Jesus did, but we do have access to the same Holy Spirit that led Him. The revelation of scripture comes from embracing the first two points, Connection to the Father (through Christ and the Spirit) and self-denial. When we turn away from our earthly desires to spend intimate time with God, and we’re committed to reading the Bible with the Spirit, He will make its application clear.
What do you do to resist temptation? We’d love to read your comments below.
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In the fifth episode of the “When You Pray” Care Ministries podcast series from Brookwood Church, I’m joined by my regular co-hosts and fellow Brookwood Care Ministries pastors, Gene Beckner and Doug Wildman as we dive deeper into more specifics about the nature of temptation.
Listen to the full When You Pray podcast series and read the verses as they’re posted by clicking HERE.
The Brookwood Ministries Podcast is officially available through the Brookwood Church App, iTunes, PodBean, and your device’s podcast app. Episodes from Care Ministries (including this series) are also posted on our Care Ministries Facebook Page.
When temptation arises, as it does even though you can protect yourself from it by staying away from or in food, not purchasing it. But when it comes your way nontheless pray, think of God, ‘what would Jesus do’?
Removing ourselves from the reach of the thing we’re tempted by is great advice, Sonya. Thank you.
Great insights, Josh! Thanks for posting!
You’re welcome, Tina. Thank you.
Great summary list you have there my friend. I turn from temptation (the more I look at it, the more I want it); I rely on God’s word written upon my heart; I seek His help. As the Apostle Paul said (paraphrased) “… as humans we will always succumb to temptation and do what we ought not do… with God’s help, we can overcome any temptation.” Great post sir; as always.
Paul is a great example of a person who turned from sin but was constantly aware of his need to lean on Christ to resist temptation. That’s great insight, J.D. Thanks so much.
I pray and ask God for help in resisting temptation. I know God is always listening and He will answer.
Your approach is great. That’s really the key isn’t it, Melissa? Turning our focus to God rather than the temptation. Thanks for sharing your experience.