Temptation is something that everyone faces at some point in their lives. It’s especially difficult for individuals who have newly converted to Christianity.
But, as Christians, how can we cope with the temptations that seem to follow us around at all times?
We must remember that we are all sinners who will face temptation at some point in our lives. Temptation isn’t a sin in and of itself, but succumbing to it is.
However, just because we are born sinners does not provide us with the right to indulge in wicked inclinations over and over again. No matter how tough it may seem at the time, we must always reject temptation!
Even though Jesus is divine, we must remember that he faced temptation in the same way that we do! He came in human form and went through all we’ve gone through; therefore, he knows our troubles!
Table of contents
Causes of Temptation
- Pride
- Bad friends
- Idleness
- Sexual Desires
- Unemployment
- Greed
- Anger
Types of Temptation
Satan is attempting to bring down God’s Saints. Through different types of temptation, he is constantly striking at God’s saints.
To grasp the concept of temptation, we must first recognize that there are two different types of temptation.
The first concept is any attempt of enticement that has a bad connotation.
The second concept is that temptation denotes a period of trial that leads to spiritual development and is thus beneficial.
Satan is the source of temptation in its negative aspect, which entices evil. Below are the three types of things Jesus faced.
Lust of Flesh
Lust is a desire to own something, and the flesh is the bodily aspect of ourselves capable of partaking in the pleasures that the flesh desires.
Our bodily senses allow us to experience a pleasure. We may see, taste, touch, smell, and hear things that delight our hearts, minds, and souls through our bodies. We can imagine how intense this desire may be.
Jesus was led into the desert for forty days and nights of fasting. Weeks of fasting prepared him for his temptation. The devil confronted Jesus by asking him to create bread from stone after Jesus had fasted.
After several days of fasting, Satan anticipated that Jesus would be hungry and challenged Him to satiate his desire.
This temptation was amplified by the wilderness atmosphere. Anyone would be incredibly hungry after forty days of fasting, and it would be simple to desire food that would fulfil our flesh.
Lush of Eyes
When Jesus rejects Satan’s initial temptation, he instantly changes tactics. Because Satan was unable to persuade Jesus to disobey God, he sought to lure Jesus into a premature use of God’s authority to promote His role as Redeemer.
Satan led Jesus into the sacred city and placed Him on the temple’s pinnacle in this new strategy. A holy city is a place dedicated to God. Jesus was placed in this position to be as near God as possible.
Satan understands how to set individuals up for failure. This temptation was meant to persuade Jesus to take a less challenging road to power rather than the self-denial of the Cross.
Satan is advising Jesus that if He casts Himself down and is miraculously rescued, dazzling the crowd’s eyes (lust of the eyes), He would be able to show Himself to be the Son of God.
Jesus’ response to the second temptation was similarly based on God’s Word. But Jesus replied to Satan that no man should tempt God.
This, according to Luke, was the greatest of the three temptations. We’ve all had instances when we feel as if God has abandoned us. The issue here may be argued that putting God to the test. Is God with us or not?
The Pride of Life
Satan has twice failed to seduce Jesus, yet he does not give up. He’s on his third attempt now. Satan leads Jesus to a high mountain and shows him all of the world’s kingdoms.
Again, Satan sets the scene by positioning Jesus and the rest of the world. Jesus is shown the state of the world by Satan. He displays everything of sorrow and wickedness to Jesus.
Satan demonstrates to Jesus that he can govern the world and lead it with his assistance. All the world’s kingdoms are offered to Jesus if he will fall and worship him.
How to Overcome Temptation as a Christian
Temptation is one of those things that reminds us of the difficulties of the heavenly grace, the presence of the devil, and the importance of being strong and committed while we await the Lord Jesus Christ’s second coming.
It also makes us aware of how much Jesus loves us, which makes the adversary envious of us.
On the other hand, God has established arrangements for us to fight temptations when they arise. Among the things we could do to resist temptation are the following;
- Studying God’s Word
- Pray Constantly
- Be on Guard
- Maintain Control Over What You Watch
- Resist the Devil
1. Studying God’s Word
Studying God’s word can help you overcome temptation at any moment. The Bible provides an excellent example: when the devil tempted Jesus, the only weapon he continued employing to defeat the adversary was God’s word; hence the words “It is written….” (Matthew 4:4, 7, and 10).
When you fill your heart with God’s word, you are entirely equipped to defeat the devil and his schemes.
2. Pray Constantly
Another approach to fight temptation is to pray constantly. Prayer strengthens us spiritually and is a powerful weapon against the devil and his schemes.
Jesus encouraged his students to pray to avoid being tempted. (Matthew 14:38; Luke 22:40; 1Thessalonians 5:18).
In the same sense, we are obliged to pray constantly, as we are confronted with the same devil as the disciples were.
3. Be on Guard
You must be alert; you must realize when your buddies attempt to entice you into activities that would harm your spiritual life.
Smokers, thieves, drunkards, womanizers, rascals, and other potential sources of temptation should be avoided.
4. Maintain Control Over What You Watch
Maintaining control over what you watch also entails controlling the rate and manner you are enticed.
Your eyes and intellect are excellent tools for the devil to use to get entry into your life and seduce you.
You may reduce your exposure to sources of temptation by avoiding items like pornographic films/magazines, criminal books or movies, and so on, and therefore easily withstand temptations.
5. Resist the Devil
Resisting the devil is another guaranteed approach to conquer temptation.
How can you stand up to the devil?
Take, for example, what Jesus did when the devil tempted him: he simply refused to accept any of the devil’s offers.
You have resisted the devil if you refuse to accept any ideas he makes to you. He will leave you alone if you fight him. (James 4:7, NIV).
How to Resist Temptation Sexually
- Pray for Help from God
- Say No to Every Form of Enticement
- Do Not Allow Vacuum in Your Life
- Cut-Off All Un-Godly Relationship
1. Pray for Help from God
Prayer remains the only weapon that helps married people overcome infidelity. No man or woman is above falling into the sin of immorality. In fact, the higher you grow spiritually, the greater the temptation.
So watch and pray so that you don’t fall into temptation. Make out time, either in the morning or at night, to pray for one another, especially in the area of sexual immorality.
2. Say No to Every Form of Enticement
Daily, the urge to have a fling will be knocking at the door, but such temptations will be eliminated if one can say no to every temptation.
The ability to say no is not free, as it needs a great deal of discipline and boldness to put into practice.
It starts with an individual’s mindset and eventually manifests itself in the form of a decision to do or not do something.
To ward off the surging desires, you’ll need the strength and willpower to resist the sexual temptation at such critical times.
3. Do Not Allow Vacuum in Your Life
Idleness is one of the most common baits used by the devil to capture unsuspecting souls.
The idle mind may be utilized to create deviant fantasies, which eventually produce evil seeds that can be disastrous in the long term.
We must fill our minds with good activities, messages, music, and activities that will change our lives. Once these are completed, there will be no place for the devil to throw bait at us.
4. Cut-Off All Un-Godly Relationship
Wrong companions and evil friendships initiate most negative activities. The type of friends we keep will either mould or shatter our destinies in life.
When you choose a chain-smoker as your close friend, the tendency is for you to try a stick of cigarette someday. We must form a close partnership with people who will influence our life positively.
How to Overcome Bible Verse
- 1 Corinthians 10:13
- Luke 22:4
- 1 Corinthians 6:18
- Matthew 26:41
- James 4:7
- Ephesians 6:16
- 1 Corinthians 7;9
- James 1:12
- Matthew 6:13
- Luke 22:4
How to Overcome Temptation as a Teenager
Let’s face it, no matter how old or young we are, we all confront temptation.
While my temptation as an adult could be to spend excessive amounts of money, a teen girl might struggle with going too far sexually with her partner, and a younger child might struggle with speaking white lies.
Regardless of the circumstance, the temptation exists and can lead to wrongdoing. If you want to overcome temptation as a teen, I’ll employ you to do the below.
- Pray to God
- Stay Away from Temptation
- Stay Away from Bad Friends
- Study the Bible
1. Pray to God
Resisting temptation is a daunting task. That’s why you need the help of God to overcome it. Praying is one of the best ways to take control of your life from the devil.
2. Stay Away from Temptation
As a teenager, to overcome temptation, you have to decide between staying away from what can trigger your desires and emotions into temptation.
Never put yourself into a situation that you know will cause you temptation. Just stay away from it in the first place, and you will be keeping yourself from not only sinning but being tempted to do so in the first place.
3. Stay Away from Bad Friends
Temptation and peer pressure go together, so you must mind the kind of friends you keep.
Even the Bible says evil communication corrupts good ones (1 Corinthians 15:13).
Peer pressure is an easy avenue the devil uses to lure teenagers into temptation.
4. Study the Bible
The Bible is a weapon for all Christians studying. Your Bible will help give you the necessary wisdom to handle temptation. So meditate in God’s word. He will provide you with directions.
Short Warfare Prayers Against Temptation
- Lord, please, I need your help, come and help me win this battle.
- Father Lord, I have no power of my own; help me overcome this temptation.
- Jesus, without you, I am nothing. I give you charge over my life; take control.
- Holy Spirit, help me stay in your holiness; do not let me be distracted.
- Lord, come and provide a way of escape for me over temptation.
Related Posts
- Requirements and Hindrances to Divine Settlement
- The Way to The Top for Christians
- Walking in Spiritual Authority and Divine Ability of God
- The Weapon of Prayer for Freedom from Captivity
- How to Access Divine Guidance and Benefits of God’s Direction
- The Importance and Types of Soul Winning
- Understanding The Meaning and Importance of Salvation in Christianity
- How to Hear God’s Voice When Making A Decision
- I Will Not Leave You as Orphans and Comfortless Sermon
- Overcoming Limitations Sermon and Bible Verses
- Dealing with Faulty Foundation as A Christian
