LESSON 11 LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION (PART TWO)


How to Overcome Temptation


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

Escape—(To go out) an exit.

At the time you are put to the test, he will give you the strength to endure it, and so provide you with a way out. 1 Corinthians 10:13 TEV

He will see to it that every temptation has a way out, so that it will never be impossible fo you to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 Phillips

Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. Luke 21:36

The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished. 2 Peter 2:9

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. James 1:12

Prayer:

Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually. 1 Chronicles 16:11

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. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:15, 16

It is by prayer that the Christian obtains strength to resist temptation. And while we go about our daily duties, we should lift the heart to heaven in prayer. It was in this way that Enoch walked with God and overcame the evil of his day.

Trust in God:

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3

Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust. Psalm 16:1

Preserve—To hedge about (as with thorns) i.e. guard; to protect, attend to.

Trust—To flee for protection, figuratively to confide in.

The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. Psalm 18:2

Rock—Figurative a fortress. In scripture, figuratively, defense; means of safety; protection; strength a firm or immovable foundation.

Fortress—Any fortified place; a fort; a castle a strong hold a place of defense, safety security.

Deliverer—To slip out, escape; to deliver. To free; to release to rescue or save.

Strength—Generaly a rock or boulder; figurative a refuge. Power of resisting attacks. Support, that which supports; that which supplies strength.

Buckler—A shield, figurative a protector. To support or defend, a kind of shield, or defensive armor, anciently used in war. (See Ephesians 6:16.)

Salvation—Liberty, deliverance, prosperity. The act of saving; preservation from destruction, danger. In theology the redemption of man from the bondage of sin and liability to eternal death.

Hightower—A cliff (or other lofty or inaccessible place) figurative a refuge.

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him. Psalm 28:7

God’s grace is sufficient for all our trials; and though they are greater than ever before if we trust wholly in God, we can overcome and be victorious. Though we may be tempted and harassed we cannot trust in our own strength we must flee to God as the only defense.

Fear God:

By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil. Proverbs 16:6

And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not. Exodus 20:20

“The fear of God is a holy awe or reverence of God and His laws, which springs from a just view and real love of the divine character, leading the subjects of it to hate and shun everything that can offend such a holy being, and inclining them to aim at perfect obedience.” (Noah Webster op cit.)

Vital connection:

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. John 15:4, 5

Dwell in Me, and I will dwell in you. [Live in Me, and I will live in you.] Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in (being vitally united to) the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in Me. I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing. John 15:4, 5 AMP

Unless we have a living connection with God, we can never resist self-love, self-indulgence, and temptation to sin. While religion and self-respect may motivate us to set aside many bad habits, yet without a vital connection with God by surrender of ourselves to Him moment by moment, we shall be overcome.

You and I are dependent upon Christ to be able to live a holy life, even as is the branch is dependent upon the vine or tree for life. Apart from Christ we have no life and no real power to resist temptation or ability to grow in grace and holiness.

We must guard the senses:

Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23

The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil. Isaiah 33:14, 15

I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me. Psalm 101:3

And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite. Proverbs 23:2

Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge. Proverbs 19:27

It can be seen from the above verses that we have a work to do to resist temptation. If we would not fall victim to Satan’s devices we must guard the windows of the soul; we must avoid reading, seeing, or hearing that which will war against the Spirit. We cannot allow our mind to wander randomly upon every thought that comes to our mind, or that the adversary of souls may suggest.

So brace up your minds; be sober (circumspect, morally alert); set your hope wholly and unchangeably on the grace (divine favor) that is coming to you when Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is revealed. [Live] as children of obedience [to God]; do not conform yourselves to the evil desires [that governed you] in your former ignorance [when you did not know the requirements of the Gospel]. 1 Peter 1:13, 14 AMP

Must understand our own weakness:

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9, 10

When temptations surround us, and we cannot control the circumstances that expose us to difficulties, with confidence we can claim the promise, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13). It may be our purpose to be right and to do right, but we will fall unless walk humbly with God.

Effort:

Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:  But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Colossians 3:5, 8

Mortify—Deaden subdue

Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:13

The thoughts and feelings must be restrained with a firmness, lest they lead us into sin.

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Philippians 2:12

Therefore, my dear ones, as you have always obeyed [my suggestions], so now, not only [with the enthusiasm you would show] in my presence but much more because I am absent, work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self-distrust, with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ). [Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight. Philippians 2:12, 13 AMP

Resistance is success:

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7

The Christian life is a battle in this world of darkness and sin. In this warfare there is no release; the effort to overcome and do right must be continuous and persevering. It is by unceasing endeavor that we maintain the victory over the temptations of Satan.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:  Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. 1 Peter 5:8, 9

Resist—To stand against, oppose.

Withstand him; be firm in faith [against his onset—rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined], knowing that the same (identical) sufferings are appointed to your brotherhood (the whole body of Christians) throughout the world. 1 Peter 5:9 AMP

We must stay away from those things that tempt us:

And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. 2 Corinthians 6:16, 17

Flee fornication.…. 1 Corinthians 6:18

Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. 1 Corinthians 10:14

But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 1 Timothy 6:9–11

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

Flee—To run away, to shun.

We are living in a world of satanic influences, and the enemy of souls will seek to weave a spell of licentiousness around every soul that is not kept by the grace of Christ. Temptations will come, for we live in a world of sin and rebellion. However if we watch, pray, and maintain self-control and seek to live a life of purity, the seducing spirits will have no influence over us. We must not live, think, or act in any way that would encourage temptation, and then when temptations do come, we will have the grace and strength of the Lord to withstand it.

Do not even contemplate:

Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Matthew 4:8–10

We are to turn away from the first step of transgression. As we look at the example of Christ He stood true to the law and Word of God, and thus He prevailed over the enemy. If we would always take such a position as this when tempted, refusing to flirt with temptation or argue with the enemy, the same experience in overcoming the enemy would be ours.

In realizing God’s presence we will be saved from temptation:

By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. Hebrews 11:27.

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. 1 John 3:2, 3

If we would live with the recognition that we are in the presence of God, we will be saved from yielding to temptation. This is not to live with fear looking over our shoulders, as if God would smite us for any little infraction. Rather as we come to know and love God and realize He is with us, in love and respect and in a conscious knowledge of His presence we will be circumspect in all our dealings, thoughts and actions.

We overcome by our testimony and witness:

And they overcame him [the devil] by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Revelation 12:11

No one will be able to resist temptation, and to fulfill God’s purpose for their life unless they take up His work. Our duty whether great or small, is to be done with conscientious fidelity. There is more to the Christian life besides going to church, we must practice the truth and bring its principles into our everyday life. Trusting in Christ and by word and deed making Him known in a world of darkness, is one means that we overcome the evil one.

We overcome by a true knowledge of Scripture:

Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Psalm 119:9–11

Thinking on the goodness of God shuts the door to temptations:

I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Psalm 27:13

Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men! Psalm 31:19

Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! Psalm 107:8

If we we think upon the goodness of God toward us, and of His love and mercy, it would close many avenues by which the enemy seeks to lead us into sin. You see, if we listen to the voice of the tempter and follow his suggestions, this means we hurt Him who loves us so much.

God’s will to give us victory:

And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us. 1 John 5:14

For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. 1 Thessalonians 4:3, 7

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6, 7

But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. 1 Peter 4:7
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