DEFEATING TEMPTATION: You defeat a temptation by saying No!!

Voice of Eden (episode 181)

Thur. 9th July 2020

     #DEFEATING TEMPTATION

Key scripture: 1Corinthians 10:13 KJV

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.

Dear friend,

Do you ever think that certain people are not tempted, or at least they are not tempted as much as you are? Do you feel pained that you cannot just say No at the face of a temptation, especially when the temptation is actually tempting? The truth is, every man is tempted according to what he can handle. On the other hand, a no does not come easily, especially when what is right before us looks pleasing. That is why we must learn the act of saying 'No' as the Holy Spirit teaches us.

I am tempted every single day of my life till this day, and we all are. Some things I have done I am not really proud of, but in the midst of it all, I will never stop learning to say No to every temptation I face, no matter how many times I fail. I have not mastered the act of saying no, so because I chose to share what I have learnt and still trying to apply does not mean I am prefect or have everything under control. I wake up every morning leaning on God for the strength to say no to every temptation I face along the way.

Understand that every temptation begins by capturing your attention. The more you focus on "I don't want to do this," the more you are drawn towards it. Ignoring a temptation from the devil is far more effective than fighting it (in my opinion). Once your mind is on something else the temptation loses its power

Ways to say No:

2. Reveal your struggles to a godly friend or support group.

You don't have to broadcast it to the whole world, but you need to at least tell one person you can honestly trust. If you are loosing the battle against a persistent bad habit, an addiction, or a temptation, and you are stuck in a repeating cycle of good intention - failure - guilt, you will not get better on your own. Some temptations are only overcome with the help of a partner who prays for you, encourages you, and holds you accountable.

If you want to really get out of the trap, God's solution is simple: Don't repress it, confess it! Don't conceal it; reveal it!!

3. Resist the devil.

After we have humbled ourselves (because it take a great load of humility to tell someone what we are struggling with) and submitted to God, we are told to defy the devil. -James 4:7

We do not passively resign ourselves from temptation, we fight back. How can we resist the devil? - Ephesiabs 6:17

The first step is to accept God's salvation. You won't be able to say no to the devil if you haven't said yes to Jesus. It's that simply!

Do not forget this: if you are a believer, Satan can not force you to do anything. He can only suggest.

Second, you must use the word of God as your weapon to fight back. Jesus is our example - John 4.

4. Know that you are vulnerable.

God warns us never to get cocky and overconfident. Scripture says if you think you stand be careful so you don't fall. Given the right circumstances, any of us are capable of any sin. We must never let down our guard and think we are beyond any temptation. Do not carelessly place yourself in tempting situations. 

Remember that it is easier to stay out of temptation than to get out of it .

Lastly, It is not wrong to be tempted, it is only wrong to yield to it.

#voe

#keepgrowing

#goodmorning