How do we overcome temptation?
In order to overcome temptation we have to know what temptation is and where it comes from. What is temptation? According to Easton's Bible Dictionary, temptation is a "trial; a being put to the test."
James 1:2-3
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
In this scripture it is saying that temptation is trying our faith and through this it is teaching us patience.
James 1:12-14
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man.
But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished bringeth forth death.
So let's just study out this scripture for a minute. In verse 12, If a person endures temptation he will receive the crown of life. What does it mean to endure? In this scripture, endure means to take it patiently, persevere, suffer, and to stand firm. So In order to receive the crown of life we must stand firm against temptation and we must push forward in truth. This way we are able to overcome.
How can we overcome when we don't know who or what is tempting us? Verse 13 is letting us know that God does not tempt us. We know this because God is not evil and there is no way that he can be tempted into doing evil. So who is the tempter of our soul? Verse 14 says that every man is tempted when he is drawn away by his OWN lust. This does not mean that we tempt ourselves but it means that we all are born into sin and have a sinful nature that draws us and entices us. Who tempted us in the beginning? It was Satan. He enticed Eve into eating the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil. From that point, humanity was now able to see the difference between good and evil. They were able to see wrong from right. We know that our desires can get us tripped up and cause us to sin. Satan plays on those desires.
Now that we know that Satan is our tempter, we can see in James 4:6 that if we resist the devil he will flee and if we draw close to God, then he will draw close to us. Resist, in this scripture, means to rebel or to withstand.
We can see by the word of God, that the way to overcome temptation is to persevere. We must push forward. Then, we must resist or rebel against the devil. We must stand up and say, "Hey! I'm not doing that. God's been to good to me; I can't fail him now." After that we must draw close to God and let him move in our minds and souls. It is amazing how just one prayer meeting can change your entire outlook on things. If you turn to God, he will clear your mind. You can overcome temptation.
Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man.
But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished bringeth forth death.
So let's just study out this scripture for a minute. In verse 12, If a person endures temptation he will receive the crown of life. What does it mean to endure? In this scripture, endure means to take it patiently, persevere, suffer, and to stand firm. So In order to receive the crown of life we must stand firm against temptation and we must push forward in truth. This way we are able to overcome.
How can we overcome when we don't know who or what is tempting us? Verse 13 is letting us know that God does not tempt us. We know this because God is not evil and there is no way that he can be tempted into doing evil. So who is the tempter of our soul? Verse 14 says that every man is tempted when he is drawn away by his OWN lust. This does not mean that we tempt ourselves but it means that we all are born into sin and have a sinful nature that draws us and entices us. Who tempted us in the beginning? It was Satan. He enticed Eve into eating the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil. From that point, humanity was now able to see the difference between good and evil. They were able to see wrong from right. We know that our desires can get us tripped up and cause us to sin. Satan plays on those desires.
Now that we know that Satan is our tempter, we can see in James 4:6 that if we resist the devil he will flee and if we draw close to God, then he will draw close to us. Resist, in this scripture, means to rebel or to withstand.
We can see by the word of God, that the way to overcome temptation is to persevere. We must push forward. Then, we must resist or rebel against the devil. We must stand up and say, "Hey! I'm not doing that. God's been to good to me; I can't fail him now." After that we must draw close to God and let him move in our minds and souls. It is amazing how just one prayer meeting can change your entire outlook on things. If you turn to God, he will clear your mind. You can overcome temptation.
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