Resisting the Lures of the Devil

    Everyone faces temptation. Just as we all have different strengths, interests, and weaknesses, we also have different areas of temptation. Some might be enticed to lie, steal, or gamble, while others are lured by smoking, drinking, or immorality—what ensnares one person may have no effect on another. When people have difficulty resisting sin, many decide, "This is just the way I am" and give themselves over to the temptation. Some individuals, after repeatedly yielding, cease to recognize a specific situation as temptation. Instead, they justify the sinful behavior as simply their way of living.

    All temptation ultimately comes from the Enemy, whose goal is to cast doubt in our mind and disrupt our fellowship with the Lord. Satan wants to remove us from God's will in order to stop us from worshiping, serving, or glorifying the Lord. In that way, he attempts to destroy our witness for Jesus Christ.

    The Scriptures use Israel's history as a warning about the perils of temptation. In 1 Corinthians 10:1-12, Paul relates that despite God's abundant blessing, the nation nevertheless chose the wrong pathway, behaving immorally, practicing idolatry, and grumbling about the Lord's good gifts. The Israelites were tempted and they yielded. In fact, that nation's entire history was a recurring cycle of obedience, blessing, temptation, rebellion, and chastisement.

    That is the way it happens with many individuals as well. They repeatedly fall into the same old temptation until they finally conclude, "I tried, but I just can't do better." They reason that "God tempted me," "the Devil tempted me," or "it simply isn't fair—the pressure was more than I could bear." And again they succumb.

Characteristics of Temptation

    All temptation is based on fantasy—that is, our imagination of life under different circumstances. It starts with a thought. However, simply thinking about something does not automatically mean that you have sinned. As you linger on the thought, your imagination begins to take over: I wonder how it would be to possess this or try that? . . . to have a different spouse? . . . to replace my coworker at his job? . . . to have a little more "fun"?

    As you imagine what the experience might be like, you begin to desire it. Then the desire grows, and it is not long before your will becomes involved. At that point, you have to choose: you either turn away from the temptation or consent to your "flesh," which longs to be gratified with things beyond divinely set boundaries.
If you have never trusted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, your only defense will be human resistance, which will not last very long.

    From 1 Corinthians 10:13, we can identify other characteristics of enticing situations. First of all, temptations are common. God created us with legitimate needs and desires, and His will encompasses everything we must have plus much of what we want. He intended for our yearnings to be met within certain parameters, beyond which lie those things He knows are destructive or unhealthy. That is why God set limits—not to prevent us from having fun or enjoying life, but in order to protect us.

    Temptation is an enticement to go beyond the boundaries God has set for our natural, divinely bestowed desires. When you and I exceed those limits, we sin. For example, He certainly gave us an appetite for food; otherwise we would not be able to exist. But if we pass the boundary of self-control, we overeat and become gluttonous. Similarly, the desire for sex is a gift from God, but when indulged to an unhealthy extreme, it becomes a sin. Our freedom stops where He has placed limitations to keep us safe.

    Satan tempts us all to worship the things of this world instead of God— every one of us is susceptible to his pull. Even Jesus, because He was fully man, was tempted in all things as we are, but was without sin. (Hebrews 4:15) What wonderful assurance to know that you and I never face a single temptation that Jesus Himself did not face.

    As long as we live in our human body, we will remain subject to temptation. Our lack of awareness leads easily to sin. Scripture warns us, "Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall" (1 Corinthians 10:12). In other words, do not let yourself be lulled into thinking, I'm not susceptible in that area—things like that don't affect me. Remember that Satan prowls about like a roaring lion. (1 Peter 5:8) He knows that if he can get you to cross a line once, the second time will be easier. And if he can tempt you over that line four or five times, you will be well entrenched in sin. Consequently, we must remain alert.

    But for the believer, every temptation is controlled. First Corinthians 10:13 assures us, "God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it." Notice that we are not in control; God is—and three of His attributes are at work when we face temptation. First is His faithfulness. He said we will not be tempted beyond what we are able to withstand—He simply will not allow that to happen. Second is His omnipotence. That is, God can and in fact does limit Satan's temptation of every single believer. The nature of His control is not to make us strong within ourselves. Rather, He brings us to the realization that the Holy Spirit dwelling within us enables us to be strong and say "no." And because of God's third trait, His great love for us, He gives us a way of escape for whatever enticement we face. That means every tempting situation is conquerable. However, we are not victorious 100 percent of the time because we do not always obediently opt for His "escape hatch."

Ways to deal with temptation

    Satan tries to narrow our focus onto something minuscule—the object that is enticing us. Our heavenly Father, on the other hand, desires that we keep sight of the "big picture." There are several ways to build a defense against temptation.

     1 Ask yourself questions. Before you take action, consider the answers to the following: If I should yield to this temptation, what will be the immediate and future consequences to me and those around me? Am I prepared to pay the price? Is there a better way to get this need met?

     2 Identify areas of weakness. Everybody has one or more vulnerabilities, but if you are unsure what yours are, ask God to reveal them. In addition, be mindful of objects, places, or situations that might foster temptation, and avoid them. The word "H.A.L.T." is a helpful reminder not to let yourself get too Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired. Because the body, soul, and spirit all work together, you are more susceptible to the Enemy's wiles when you are weary and worn. Satan looks for such opportunities to mount his forces.

     3 Visualize your victory. Too often, we set ourselves up for failure by thinking, I'm afraid I am going to slip. Faith is the ability to envision something positive before it ever happens. So picture having a godly response, and tell yourself, Here is what I believe the Lord wants me to request of Him. Once you begin to program your thinking in a faith-filled, godly fashion, you will begin to act in the way that you think. (Proverbs 23:7)   

     4 Be accountable to a friend. Select a confidential, trustworthy brother or sister in Christ who is supportive of you and willing to ask, "Were you able to withstand the temptation today?" There's something strengthening about a friend checking on you, knowing where you are and what you are doing. If you have to give an account to someone every day, God will use that person as an encourager.

     5 Set aside a daily time of prayer and meditation . It does not matter whether it takes place morning, noon, or night, as long as you are alone with God every day. During those intimate times together, you can unload your heart to the Lord, and He will re-energize you, rekindle your spirit, and refocus your attention.

     6 Learn to rely on the Holy Spirit. Until you understand how the indwelling Helper works in your life to enable and empower you, all your attempts to resist temptation will depend upon your own strength—and you will continue to fail. But if you resist the Devil, build up your defenses, and depend upon the Holy Spirit, you will be able to gain the victory.

    You might ask, "What if I fail?" Satan wants you to wallow in self-pity, but don't do it! Instead, immediately ask God to forgive you. Then turn around, walk away, and don't look back. Thank God for His forgiveness, and also thank Him for the victory He is going to give you the next time you are tempted.

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