During His time on this earth, Jesus Christ set the perfect example for man to follow in conduct and attitude in order to please God. With regard to the perfect example of the Savior, the apostle Peter writes, “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: ‘Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth’; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously” (1 Pet. 2:21-23, NKJV).

In the face of immense pressure, Jesus set the perfect example in the matter of overcoming temptation. Of this example the writer of Hebrews says, “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Heb. 4:15).

Since all are faced with temptation, all should look to the example of Jesus in order to overcome temptation. How can we follow the perfect example of the Son of God in overcoming temptation?

1. Quote Scripture. Upon beginning His public ministry, Jesus was tempted in the wilderness by Satan. However, rather than yield to the pressure tactics of the devil, Jesus overcame each temptation by answering, “It is written,” and quoting an appropriate passage of Scripture in response to the temptation (Matt. 4:3-10). When pressured to engage in that which would violate the will of God, one can overcome by calling to mind the word of God in order to apply it to the present situation. For example, if someone tempts you to drink intoxicating drink, remind yourself of Proverbs 20:1. Or, if pressured to take revenge on an enemy, remind yourself of Romans 12:19. Follow the example of Jesus by using Scripture to combat temptation.

2. Pray to God. With the immense pressure of the cross looming large on the immediate horizon, Jesus withdrew to the garden “and prayed, saying, ‘O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will’” (Matt. 26:39). The example of Jesus indicates clearly that sincere, fervent prayer to our Heavenly Father should play a key role in one’s response to temptation. Before proceeding in the face of temptation and potentially handling the situation in the wrong way, stop and pray for God’s help in handling it the right way. Mindless repetition and insincere petition will not aid anyone in temptation. But the fervent prayer of one who seeks to please the Lord will be effective (James 5:16). Follow the example of Jesus by using prayer to combat temptation.

3. Walk away. When Jesus publicly claimed to embody the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy in the synagogue of Nazareth, the Bible says, “So all those in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, and rose up and thrust Him out of the city; and they led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might throw Him down over the cliff. Then passing through the midst of them, He went His way” (Lk. 4:28-30). When the pressure was on, Jesus simply walked away from the situation. While you may not win the argument or get the last word in should you walk away when faced with temptation, you may very well keep from losing your temper and sinning. Sometimes the most appropriate response to temptation is to simply extricate oneself from the situation. Follow the example of Jesus by walking away as a means to combat temptation.

Conclusion: Remember, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1 Cor. 10:13). We can overcome temptation by following the perfect example of the One who never sinned.