One of the roadblocks every Believer encounters at various levels in their walk with God is temptation. Temptations are not limited to certain categories of Christians; both the pastor and the Evangelist get tempted; both the baby Christian and the spiritually mature Believer will get tempted. Today, we will take you on this adventure through the holy Bible, to discover how to overcome temptation as a Christian.
Temptation is simply the orchestration of Satan and the flesh, to make a Christian fall into sin. In other words, temptation is sin appearing right.
Temptations can sometimes be so pressing on a child of God, that it will take a great willpower, the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit, for that Christian to not fall into it.
From the holy scriptures, we learn that temptation is not the handiwork of God. The Almighty tempts no one.
James 1:13-15 (AMP)Let no one say when he is tempted, I am tempted from God; for God is incapable of being tempted by [what is] evil and He Himself tempts no one. But every person is tempted when he is drawn away, enticed and baited by his own evil desire (lust, passions). Then the evil desire, when it has conceived, gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is fully matured, brings forth death.
From the above scripture, we discover a lot more about temptations. We've seen that God doesn't tempt a man with evil. We must realise that there are always lustful things around us that can lure us into temptation.
The current world we live in is plagued with lust. Ranging from the mainstream media, to social media, and even to roadside adverts, lust is offered free of charge to willing eyes. But it is only when we drop our spiritual defenses to feed on lust, that we become entrapped. Lust often matures into full-blown disobedience to God.
The enemy and his cohorts lurk around in every nook and cranny of the world, projecting at every Christian the things that could tempt and possibly make them fall into Sin.
Every temptation is an intentional attempt from the enemy to make a Christian fall into sin. Committing sin doesn't just happen, every act of sin is a consent the Believer gave the enemy to work in their life, by falling into temptation. That is to say, anyone who falls into temptation complied or worked with the enemy against their own self.
The Scripture has made us to understand that you are not the first to be tempted and you definitely won't be the last. People have been tempted in the past. Some fell for it, some overcame it. As long as the enemy still exits, temptations will keep coming.
Understand that what is tempting you now has tempted other people in the past. It is not a new thing; same old tricks of the enemy, and there are people who overcame those tricks. If they could overcome them, you also can do the same.
Apparently, we all have a choice—either to give in to temptation or overcome it. If our Lord Jesus was tempted by the devil when He walked the earth, who then are we that we wouldn't get tempted? (Matthew 4:4-11).
Be aware that every temptation you overcome brings about spiritual and physical promotions. Each time you evercome a temptation, it means that you can't be put in bondage by that thing. Each time we give into temptation, it means you still have a lot of work to do on yourself because you haven't overcome something.
That said, let's progress to learn about those Biblical principles we can apply to our spiritual life and walk with God, in order to overcome temptation with ease.
10 Ways To Overcome Temptation
Interestingly, the holy Bible is a manual that provides solutions to diverse problems of man. Let's take a look at 10 ways to overcome temptation as follows:
1. Make A Decision To Please God
This is a very important step for anyone who wants to overcome any kind of temptation they are faced with. Overcoming temptations starts with making up the mind to live for God and live a life that pleases Him.
Daniel 1:8 BSBBut Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s food or wine. So he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself.
The Bible says that Daniel made up His mind not to defile himself, and we know that he succeed in obeying God in all that he did. It became easy for Daniel because firstly, he had his mind made up.
We know that falling into temptation displeases God. But when we have made that decision to [intentionally] overcome temptation so as it please God, it becomes much more easier to stand our ground whenever the enemy tempts us in any form.
It becomes easier to ascend the ladder of spirituality when the mind is made up to keep up with certain spiritual disciplines, and deny oneself some things. Willfully falling into temptation is one thing every serious Christian should make up their mind to deny theirself.
When our heart is made up about pleasing God, it becomes easier for us to act in line with that decision. It is not enough to say it with our mouth that we won't fall into temptation, let the decision be rooted in our heart.
2. Arm Yourself With The Word Of God
The word of God is one effective weapon of the Believer. Its use is very versatile. Firstly, it is important for us to study, know and understand God's Word.
The word of God is the truth over every situation. When the enemy comes with lies to tempt you, you need the word of God which is the truth against the lies of the enemy.
A wordless Christian is an armless Christian. Such a Christian has nothing in their arsenal to contend with and win his battles against the enemy.
Even Jesus Christ emphasized on the importance of the Word. When He was tempted in the wilderness, He constantly spoke the Word of God to counteract the lies of the enemy (Matthew 4:4,7,10).
Our worth is the Word of God. The more of God's Word we have in us, the easier it is for us to resist the bidding of the enemy luring us to sin against God.
3. Be Committed To Prayer And Fasting
In our place of prayer, we receive divine empowerment to resist the enemy when he comes to tempt us. The saying is true: a prayerless Christian is a powerless Christian.
When we stay prayed up, we are constantly filled with the Holy Spirit, which turns out to be very beneficial in our daily struggles as Christians. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, overcoming temptations becomes really easy.
It is the power generated through prayer and fasting, that backs up God's Word that we understand—which in turn makes it easy us to overcome the biddings of the flesh.
Fasting and prayer subdues the flesh and empowers the spirit. When the flesh is subdued, it becomes easier to overcome temptation.
4. Engage The Blood Of Jesus Christ
The blood of Jesus is the life of Jesus. Pleading the blood whenever we are tempted renders the enemy powerless. What our Lord Jesus can do is what His blood can do. The blood of Jesus Christ is a spiritual weapon for exerting dominion in the physical realm.
The mystery of the blood of Jesus is one that the devil doesn't understand, so it is easier to overcome temptations with the blood (Revelations12:11).
5. Focus On Your Spiritual Growth
As a Christian who desires to live above the wiles of the devil, you can't afford to remain at the same level spiritually.
Spiritual growth is increasing in height and in depth in God. The more we increase in our stature in Him, the easier it becomes for us to overcome temptations. Most people fall into temptations easily because they are not doing anything to advance spiritually.
The more spiritual a man becomes, the easier for him to subdue the flesh and ignore its biddings.
6. Walk In The Spirit
The spiritual controls the physical. Firstly, the Spirit of God must be allowed to take charge over our lives. Make intentional efforts to submit to the leadership of the Holy Spirit daily. Make efforts to yield to Him daily.
You have to be intentional about engaging yourself daily in things that feed your spirit man, not things that stir up lust in you.
The more we walk in the Sprit, the more we can overcome the lust of the flesh which can cause us to fall into temptation (Galatians 5:16-18).
Walking in the Sprit entails being conscious of the promptings of the Spirit of God and obeying them. As we walk in the Spirit daily, we are crucifying the flesh together with its desires. That way, we won't fall into temptations easily.
7. Flee All Appearance Of Evil
This is another major strategy that can be applied to overcome temptations. The truth is, if we willingly give in to the attractions of lust and feed on them, we will always fall into temptation. But if we often actively shut down or avoid the appearance of evil, overcoming temptation would become easier.
It is foolishness to stay where sin lurks. We know what pleases God and what displeases Him. Do not stay around the things that can make you fall into temptation.
The moment you see that an opportunity to fall is looming, flee the scene without looking back. If you don't flee, you're likely going to fall.
8. Watch Your Thoughts
Your mind can accommodate either God or the devil. If you are thinking on worldly things, you are feeding and strengthening the flesh. If you are thinking on the things of God, you are strengthening your spirit man.
Philippians 4:8 NIVFinally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Thinking or meditating on the word of God makes it easier to overcome temptations. Consciously and constantly fill your mind with the Word of God. When this is done, you'll be able to use it rightly to fight against temptations.
Remember, your thoughts influence your words, your words influence your actions, and your actions determine who you are.
9. Avoid The Wrong Company
The calibre of people we walk with determines how we become and what we do. Walking with the ungodly and carnal people exposes us to a whole lot of temptations. If we want to live a life of dominion over temptations, then we have to walk with like-minded people.
10. Depend On God's Grace
No divine task or assignment can be accomplished with arm of flesh. The grace of God is divine empowerment to overcome temptations.
This grace from God is ever sufficient and available for all of us. All you need to do is to connect to that grace and harness it.
There are times when some temptations will appear so difficult to overcome. That is when the grace of God steps in to help. The grace of God helps you overcome that temptation and live a triumphant Christian life. You can overcome all temptations as long as you bask in God's grace.
How To Overcome Temptation Bible Verse
- 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV) No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
- Matthew 26:41 (NIV) Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.
- Romans 6:23 (ESV) For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
- Hebrews 2:18 (NIV) Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
- 1 John 4:4 (NIV) You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
- Ephesians 6:11 (NIV) Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
- James 4:7 (AMP) So be subject to God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him], and he will flee from you.
- Proverbs 4:23 (AMP) Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life.
- Romans 6:12 (AMP) Let not sin therefore rule as king in your mortal (short-lived, perishable) bodies, to make you yield to its cravings and be subject to its lusts and evil passions.
Final Thoughts On Overcoming Temptation
Don't be anxious because of temptations, but apply the principles found in the holy scriptures to overcome them. We've explained most of those principles in this article.
God has promised us a way of escape out of all temptations. We can't do it without His grace, so trust in His help.
Beloved, my prayer is that as the follow the given steps on how to overcome temptation as a Christian, that you will get good success in your efforts to live above every form of temptation.
Always remember that it is very important to live ready at all times. There will be no prior notice to when the enemy will tempt you. As a soldier of Christ, be always ready.
The enemy is always on the lookout for any available loophole. Do not give him the right of way. Do these and live a triumphant life over temptations.
God bless you.
