This question was asked of me recently. I thought it was a very good question and got to the heart of the matter when it comes to sin and unrighteousness. You see, temptation in and of itself is not the sin, but it will lead us into sin and finally death if we do not resist it at the first (James 1:14-15). Thus, it behooves us to ask how can we resist the temptations we face?

Learn From The Example Of Christ

If I wish to resist temptation, then it would be wise for me to look to the Master and see what He did when He was tempted (Matt. 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13). Both Matthew and Luke record a time when Jesus was tempted. This particular event took place after Jesus had been in the wilderness for forty days.

When we read the record of Christ's temptation, we see that He resisted temptation every time until the devil finally left Him "for a season" (Luke 4:13). This means that Satan returned on other occasions to tempt Christ. Yet, he failed every time (1 Pet. 2:21-22). What did Christ do to resist temptation? Put simply, He remembered God's word and applied it to His temptations. Read Matthew 4:4, 7, and 10 and notice that Jesus answered Satan's temptations with "It is written..." This lets us know that we can also resist and overcome temptation when we have our minds filled with the word of God. Jesus was living the principle that had been taught in the Old Testament by David. He said, "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee" (Ps. 119:11).

Therefore, if we wish to resist temptation and fight against Satan, let us fill our minds with the word of God and use it! Satan will flee from us when we resist him (James 4:7b).

Pray

Don't forget that children of God have a powerful tool in prayer (James 5:16). When we are tempted, then let us go to God in prayer, and let us ask God to help us find the way to escape! God provides a way to escape temptation if we will look for it (1 Cor. 10:13)!

Prayer is counted as part of the armor of God (Eph. 6:13-18). It is a fact that Satan cannot overpower or defeat us so long as we are praying to God. Let us "pray without ceasing" (1 Thess. 5:17), for this is a sure way to resist temptations that come our way.

Remember, we are told to cast all of our care (i.e., anxiety, trouble, worry) upon the Lord (1 Pet. 5:7). Would not our temptations be part of the "care" we need to give to God? Absolutely! Therefore, let us speak to God when we are tempted and ask God to help us see the way to escape.

Fight/Flee

Another tool in our arsenal against Satan is the ability to fight or flee. There are times when we need to stand and fight; to say "No" and mean it! Jesus was a good example to us of fighting temptations that come upon us (Matt. 4; Luke 4). This fighting goes along with the resisting of James 4:7. When we fight, Satan will run away! This is what happened when Christ fought temptation (Luke 4:13), and Satan will do the same today when we fight him and his temptations!

There are also times when we need to flee temptation. Of course, there are several examples of folks who fled from temptation. Joseph fled from Potiphar's house when tempted (Gen. 39:12). Solomon said, "Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away" (Prov. 4:14-15). In the New Testament, we are told to "flee fornication" (1 Cor. 6:18). Let us remember that fleeing is a valid and needed response to temptation at times!

Make no mistake, doing nothing is the worst thing we can do when we are tempted! We must respond if we are to resist. We cannot be "neutral"!

Be Determined To Resist!

This final point is not always discussed, but it is absolutely necessary. If we are to resist temptations, then let us determine to do it! God has given us all the tools necessary to escape temptation. He has provided a way to escape every temptation we may face on earth! Yet, if we are not determined to use the tools, and actively looking for the way to escape, we will continue to yield to temptations and continue to live in sin! It is just that simple. The answer to whether or not we will yield to temptation lies within each of us! Are we determined to do what God said and resist?

Conclusion

Let us determine to resist temptation by filling our minds with the proper things (Phil. 4:8). Let us then determine to not merely think about it, but do what the Lord has said (Phil. 4:9)! This is the most challenging part of resisting temptation - actually committing to do what God says. Temptations to sin are challenges to us because they are presented as fun, enjoyable, pleasant, and gratifying. After all, a man is tempted by being "drawn away" by his own lusts (James 1:14)! Thus, it is easier to not resist. However, it is best when we resist! Brethren, let us use the tools God has given us and resist temptation when it rears its ugly head!

- The Old Paths, 7/10/16