Everyone gets tempted. Satan found a brutal tool when he convinced Eve to eat that apple. It is the main weapon in his daily attack on our souls.
Sometimes, the temptation is subtle and appears innocent. The last piece of cake sitting unwatched in the kitchen is irresistible. An isolated one-way street saves time if you ignore that arrow. One cigarette won’t hurt.
Other times, it is a more significant problem. I know it’s for the food budget, but what if I win the next game? No one will ever know if copy these answers. It’s just coffee together… who will know?
We have the power to fight off temptation. The Bible tells us that God will never confront us with a situation we can’t handle. Yet, so many of us fail to resist what the devil puts in front of us so many times.
Make no mistake. Temptation is not a test from God. It is an attack from the devil. (James 1:13) Does that mean temptation itself is a sin? No, that cannot be because Jesus was tempted.
Whether you are trying to resist a diet-busting snack, a new large screen television, or taking credit for something people would admire you for, you need to learn how to overcome the small daily temptations.
Jesus taught us the best way to fight temptation when Satan challenged Him in the desert. To every affront, Jesus quoted relevant scripture. Get familiar with your Bible. It really does offer answers to everything. I am not so quick-thinking that I can rattle off a Biblical verse every time temptation rears its head. But I can’t tell you how many times I come across relevant passages after the fact or even have them pop into my head as a validation soon after.
But do you really have to say something like, “Man cannot live by bread alone” when you come face-to-face with an unguarded pastry? Probably not. God blessed us with discernment and intelligence so we can figure out how to overcome the small daily temptations in other ways.
The study of human biology includes something called the “fight or flight syndrome”. Basically, sometimes we stand our ground and other times we run away. Running away is sometimes the best answer, although it better manifests itself as avoidance. Don’t go to casinos if you have a gambling problem. Avoid being alone with an attractive coworker. Don’t bring beer or wine into the house.
Sometimes I worry that I flee when I should confront. Is the tempter really an opportunity for me to preach? Should I have walked away or confronted them about the issue? If he knows I am an alcoholic, he’ll stop asking me to go to happy hour. If she knows I am happily married, maybe she’ll stop flirting. Avoidance is easier, but not always the best response.
Back in the 1990s, the teenagers in my youth group showed up with bracelets on. The had the letters “WWJD” on them. The bracelets were a tool to help them fight peer pressure. “What would Jesus do” was the question the bracelets prompted. I still ask that question in moments of indecision.
If that doesn’t work, I use a visual. God is all around us. The Holy Spirit is there to counsel us. Jesus is in our hearts. So, when you start to rationalize how no one will ever know what you are doing, remember there is someone very important who knows exactly what you are doing.
Since he is there with you, talk to Him. Ask God for help. I have found that simply saying “Jesus, give me strength” settles me down enough to make a good decision. Jesus in the form of scripture, example, or prayer is the best idea of how to overcome the small daily temptations of life. Simply go to Him.
And if you occasionally make the wrong decision, go to Him then, too. Our loving and forgiving God will give you a do-over, as many times as it takes until you get it right.
