Being tempted is something that every Christian has to go through probably on a daily or even hourly basis. As soon as we give our lives to Christ, the Devil and the flesh inside will begin battling our new Christ filled nature. 

 

This never gets any easier, Paul talks about the flesh warring against the spirit,  unfortunately we will have the flesh until the moment we get to glory, so we have to get used to it. We can't run away from this battle, it is a war we have to fight!

 

Now, it is not a sin to be tempted. After all, the Lord as tempted. For forty days, he was tested by the Devil. However, the key point is, he never gave into any of these temptations! (In fact as a perfect man without sin in Him, it would have been impossible for the Devil to get any foothold at all when it came to tempting the Lord!)

 

But back to the point, when we give into temptation, is when we sin, not the tempting itself. As soon as we give action to our thoughts, that is when we sin.

 

So how can we resist temptation?

 

The Bible promises that if we “…Resist the devil… he will flee from you”. Sounds good, so how do we do it?

 

 Well as always, go back to the Lord. He was, among many other things, a perfect model for us. How did the Lord beat the tempter in the wilderness? He used Scripture!

 

The Bible tells us that God’s word is a sword. Now, you might think that is a strange thing to say, as the Bible doesn’t look like a very good weapon at all, at first glance. However, the Bible also says that our battle is not against natural enemies but against the spiritual forces of darkness and evil. So while you are not going to literally fighting with the pages of your Bible, you are going to be using the words of God inside to fend off the attacks of the enemy. 

 

If you know your Bible well, you are much more prepared when the Devil comes calling. 

 

“Go and look at this website” he might say.

“But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” you reply.

 

“Go on, it won’t hurt to get drunk once”

“Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit” you counter.

 

“This film has only got a little bit of swearing in it, a few mentions of your God’s name and a few dodgy scenes, it won’t hurt to watch it”

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”

 

Without the Bible knowledge to back you up, your defence is much weaker. 

 

Of course, Bible knowledge is all very good, but it is useless unless you are also relying on the Spirit. If you try and meet the enemy in your own strength, you will be beaten quickly and mercilessly. Its like charging towards a convoy of tanks with Papier-mâché sword. The Spirit is the one that can help you. If you feel tempted, pray a quick 'emergency prayer', ask God to strengthen you.

 

Of course, if we are honest, there are times, maybe frequent times when we do give into temptation. Now while this would not be God’s plan for our lives, He is still able to bring us back to Himself. If you are truly saved, no amount of giving into temptation will ever take you too far from God. You may have to learn the hard way, but the God has promised “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” God has a contingency plan for every eventuality in your life. 

 

So being tempted is, unfortunately, part and parcel of being a Christian. You will never stop being tempted until the day you pass from time into eternity. But to leave you on a happy note, there are many things that God has promised to help us fend off these attacks and to live more fully for Him.

 

But God is faithful; He will not suffer you to be tempted beyond that which ye are able to bear, but with the temptation will also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

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For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.