Avoiding Temptation - the Easy Way - 12
Those who become Christians are by no means immune to sin. Sin invades the life of a saint just like it does an alien sinner -- through the door of temptation. But, there is an advantage owned by the Christian that provides a defense against temptation of any form. Paul wrote, "Wherefore let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. There has no temptation taken you but such as you can bear. But, God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able, but will with the temptation make also the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it" (1 Cor. 10:12-13).
God will "with the temptation" provide the Christian a way to escape the power of temptation. The promise is that along with the temptation, God provides a way of escape. Inasmuch as temptations differ the way to escape each is different. The general means by which Christians are encouraged to avoid sin and fight temptation is the word of God, but this passage involves a specific means provided commensurate with temptation. Just what it is is impossible to surmise. There are certainly things that can be eliminated such as guardian angels, miraculous happenings, or stranger-than-fact-events. Such things are purely speculative and have no solid basis in fact from the Bible
Avoiding temptation the easy way is based upon a lifestyle of full dependence upon God. The provision God gives with temptation has its roots in one’s life of humility and submission to the will of God. Peter wrote, "Yes, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply virtue, and in your virtue knowledge, and in your knowledge self-control, and in your self-control patience, and in your patience godliness, and in your godliness brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, they make you to be not idle nor unfruitful unto the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he that lacks these things is blind, seeing only what is near, having forgotten the cleansing from his old sins. Wherefore brethren, give the more diligence to make your calling and election sure, for if you do these things, you shall never stumble" (2 Pet. 1:5-10). The individual who possesses the qualities of life Peter says we are to add together, when tempted, will be able to shun any appeal toward wrong.
Here are some guidelines to make avoiding temptation easier. Consider them carefully:
(1) Recognize your weaknesses. Jesus said, "the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak" (Matt. 26:41). The point at which one is weak in the flesh, becomes the focal point of Satan’s attack. Satan is pictured in scripture as ferocious and wild. Peter said, "Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Pet. 5:8). This is a constant task for one who tries to serve the Lord faithfully. Paul predicated his statement in verse 13 on the basis that one should avoid the over-confident feeling, "I will not fall."
(2) Recognize what is tempting and what is not. Temptation is a trial or a test. Sometimes it is used in a good sense, but for our purpose, consider it a test of whether one will do right or wrong when confronted with an opportunity to choose between the two. Think of temptation as anything which draws one away from the Lord. "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God, for God cannot be tempted with evil, and He Himself tempts no man. But, each man is tempted when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed. Then the lust, when it has conceived, bears sin, and the sin, when it is fullgrown, brings forth death" (Jas. 1:13-15). Lust, and enticement to fulfill it, is the source of temptation that draws us away from God. The evil influence that plagues this world in which we live is alluring and attractive. It is the evil over which Satan is prince. John wrote, "We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in the evil one" (1 John 5:19). Lust is what has corrupted and polluted the world (2 Pet. 1:4). Whatever may lures us to do something that is contrary to God’s standard of godliness is temptation. It comes from the evil that so absorbs the world. When we recognize it, we have a "leg up" on how to avoid it.
(3) When temptation is recognized, turn from it. A classic example is Joseph, in the Old Testament. He was a handsome youth in the service of Potiphar. Potiphar’s wife made immoral sexual advances to him and he turned and ran (Gen. 39:12). He knew when and how to say "no." Far too many wait too long to think no, much less say it. Singles, especially young singles, sometimes see no harm in petting, especially if they think they really care for someone of the opposite sex. But, it has a very dangerous potential. After an extended period of physical familiarity it is sometimes practically impossible to keep from going "too far." Turn from any temptation before it becomes too great to resist.
(4) Find the good things of life to do. Paul wrote, "Abhor that which is evil, cleave to that which is good" (Rom. 12:9). In the same chapter he concluded, "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good" (verse 21). It is not enough to run from temptation. One must find what is good and then cleave to it. These two words in the original Greek "express avoidance and adherence in the strongest possible way." (R. St. John Parry, Cambridge Greek New Testament for Schools and Colleges, Rom.).
Those who find what is right and good, and who give themselves to it with conviction, will avoid temptation. It could be something as simple as a daily period of Bible study. Don’t confuse this with Bible reading. Reading the Bible is fine, but a study of what one reads brings strength to the soul and aids in resisting evil influences. It may be an intensive effort to attend faithfully the worship assemblies of the local church and Bible classes. It might involves a real effort to learn enough to be able to teach someone who needs to be save. The good things of this life at least equal in number and opportunity the things that are sinful and wrong.
(5) Stick with your duty to God. Paul wrote, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith, henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to me at that day, and not to me only, but also to all them that have loved His appearing" (1 Tim. 4:7-8). In every area of human endeavor, those who finish what they begin are the strongest. That is especially true a Christian who wants to be victorious over temptation. If you are busy in the Lord’s work, if you have your goals in life set correctly, if you keep your eye on the end prize, you will find it easy to say to no to the alluring things of this world. Just try it.
The easy way to avoid temptation is the way of faithful Christian living, closely associating with God and His people, and depending upon Him for help when temptations seem very strong. You can make it. You can resist the temptations of evil.
Questions for Study:
1. Check the right answers: Temptation is:
q Wanting to do something evil q A sin in itself q A test of the strength of character q Impossible to resist q Impossible to avoid. q Possible to resist
2. When God, "with the temptation makes also a way of escape," how does he do that? Is it a miracle or does he use other means to give us the escape?
3. Show how one thing might tempt one person, and the very same thing would not be tempting at all to another person.
4. How does, "in your faith," adding self-control give a person a defense against temptation?
5. What is the "flesh" that Jesus said is weak (Matt. 26:42)? What does he mean it is weak?
6. List several things you know that personally strengthen you against temptations that come your way.
7. What does "lust" for evil things produce, according to James 1?
8. Think of how you know when you are actually being tempted to do wrong. What are some of the tell tale signs that you are being tempted.
9. From the example of Joseph (Gen. 39) how can one avoid going "too far" in such things as petting?
10. Think of some "good thing" which you can turn and which help you overcome temptations.
11. What goals can you set for yourself that will give you power to overcome temptation?
Fill in the blanks:
"Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of _____: for ______ cannot be tempted with ______, neither tempteth he any man:" (Give the scripture reference: ______________________.
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith ______; and to ______ ____________; And to ______________ ______________; and to ______________ ______________; and to ______________ ______________; And to ______________ ____________ ________________; and to ______________ ______________ ______________.
(Give the Scripture reference: _________________ )