Don't Answer the Door - How to Resist Temptation
Have you ever felt tempted? What a silly question. Of course, you have! We all face it from time to time. Unfortunately, temptation is part of the human condition and not even Jesus escaped having to go toe to toe with it. Don’t believe me? Check out this verse:
“For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15 (NASB)
Just think about that for a second! Jesus, who was God with skin on, faced all the same similar temptations that you and I face. Emphasis on the similar. Just because you feel the need to binge on Netflix while eating a tub of ice cream doesn’t mean you are sharing in the sufferings of Christ. Here’s what I mean: all temptation falls into essentially three areas. The Bible lays this out for us very clearly.
“For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life is not from the Father, but is from the world.” 1 John 2:16 (NLT)
The lust of the flesh is the draw to satisfy the dynamics of our lower nature. It is a sometimes overwhelming sense to satisfy the desires of the body. This could be food, sexuality, or even sleep.
The lust of the eyes is the avenue through which outward things of the world - riches, popularity, status and beauty - battle for the throne of our affections where Jesus is supposed to be seated.
The “pride of life” is literally translated as, "arrogant assumption": or being excessively proud of oneself or one's achievements. This one has a very fine line to it. We are supposed to work hard and live unto the glory of God, giving Him our very best, but it is when that becomes the source of our identity or value that it becomes sin.
I would compare temptation to a door. It is a pathway in which we are susceptible to allowing the enemy of God, Satan, to have an influence on our lives. This temptation, if submitted to, then leads to sin which, as James 1:15 says, “ gives birth to death”. At this door of temptation he comes and knocks, just like an old-school salesman, offering something that appeals to our lower nature.
Now, maybe it is just me but, have you ever noticed it is never when you are feeling really great either spiritually, emotionally or physically? See, the devil is foolish but he’s not stupid if you know what I mean. He and all the other demons have been watching humanity for thousands of years and know exactly how you and I function. He waits until we are discouraged, hungry or tired to really get us to buy what he is selling.
We see this in Luke 4 when he tries that exact strategy to try to get Jesus to give in.
“Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where he was tempted by the devil for forty days. Jesus ate nothing all that time and became very hungry. Then the devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become a loaf of bread.” Luke 4;1-3(NLT)
What I find so interesting in this verse is the words that the devil chose to say to Jesus. He asked the question, “ If you are the Son of God…” If we jump back in the previous chapter it is very clear that Jesus is the Son of God. It was declared before a crowd of people, by a voice from heaven, when Jesus was baptized by John. It is kind of a sure thing when the Father speaks aloud from heaven to a multitude of people in broad daylight, don’t you think?
But that is exactly how the enemy works! He comes against the words of God, plants the initial seed of doubt, trying to get you to see things from his perspective and not God’s.
At The Union, we deal with the specific topic of God’s design for sexuality. So, if it’s alright I am going to apply some of this to that exact issue.
When it comes to sexual temptation in our culture it can seem like this never-ending battle. We are faced with a myriad of pornographic images, innuendo’s and such on a daily basis. That’s just what is happening on the outside! Never mind the reality that we all have a sex drive, that is God-given (that’s another topic for another blog), as well as a carnal nature that tries to lead us instead of us being led by the power of the Spirit. It can seem hopeless. But rest assured, friend, it is anything but hopeless.
As we continue to read in Luke 4 we see this intense exchange between Jesus and Satan. Three times Satan tempts Jesus. Once trying to get Him to turn a stone into bread. A second time showing Jesus all of the kingdoms of the world, saying that if he would bow down to Satan, Jesus could have it all. Thirdly, Satan took Jesus to the top of the temple tower in Jerusalem and told Him to jump off, even quoting Psalm 91.
Every time Jesus faced temptation He made war with it by using the truth of the Bible. This is why knowing what the Scriptures really say and having them in your heart is so vital to being a person who overcomes temptation and sin.
In closing, I want to give you a few keys to locking the door of temptation in your life.
1) Look for the escape route!
You will not escape having to face temptation but, you can always escape its hold.
The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.
1 Corinthians 10:13
2) Invite others into the fight!
Opening up with a friend, mentor or pastor about the temptation you are facing or perhaps given in to, is a powerful weapon for winning the fight.
Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-11
3) Consider what is hanging in the balance!
If Jesus gave in to the temptation He faced then the whole plan of redemption through His death on the cross would be ruined. Know that there is someone on the other side of your obedience who needs you to overcome. It may mean freedom for them.