How do we meet temptations?

This is a short study on temptation. Any other insights on the subject would be appreciated.

Thanks...

TEMPTATION
What is temptation? It is the means by which those who claim to be the children of God are tested and tried. God tempted Abraham, that He tempted the children of Israel. This means that He permitted circumstances to occur to test their faith and lead them to look to Him for help. God permits temptation to come to His people today that they may realize that He is their helper. If they draw nigh to Him when they are tempted, He strengthens them to meet the temptation. . . .

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. 1 Cor. 10:13.

This is a personal promise that God has made to you. He promises that there is no temptation you may have to face that He wont give you the strength to overcome. Claim that promise when temptations come to you.

Look not to circumstances, to the weakness of self, or to the power of temptation, but to the power of God's Word. All its strength is ours.

It is through faith in Jesus Christ that the truth, the Word of God, is accepted in the heart. The principles of the Word of God are to abide in the soul, that enables you to overcome temptation. "Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not." 1 John 3:6. God has power to keep the soul that is in Christ who is under temptation. . . . Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations. 1 Peter 1:5, 6

Keep the Word of God in your heart... Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee . Ps. 119:11. It must have previously been studied and stored in the mind. Let God make the Word become a part of you. Then when temptation comes, God's Word will act as a barrier against anything Satan throws at you. In time of trial claim the promises, and by these "escape the corruptions that are in the world through lust. . . ." I Peter 1:4.

One thing that really helps me when I am tempted is to realize God is with me. As a shield from temptation and an inspiration to purity and truth, no other influence can equal the sense of God's presence. Believe it, know it.

Keep yourself away from the corrupting influences of the world. Do not go unbidden to places where the forces of the enemy are strongly entrenched. By going upon Satan's ground, you are inviting temptation.

Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. Mark 14:38.

The beginning of yielding to temptation is in the sin of permitting the mind to waver, to be inconsistent in your trust in God. The wicked Devil is always watching for a chance to misrepresent God and to attract the mind to that which is forbidden. This is what he did to Eve, starting by insinuating to her that God couldnt be trusted. Realize if that process is starting in your mind about anything and resist it to begin with, going to God for help.

Finally, sometimes decisions may be made in a moment that fix one's condition forever. . . . Remember, it can take a very long time to recover what a moment of yielding to temptation and thoughtlessness throws away. . . . Dont let the Devil convince you its worth it. It is not.

This will be a good study. I'm sure it would be interesting to see more of what the Bible says about this.

I was going to be a smart-aleck and say: "I don't meet temptation; it meets me;" but the more I think about it, the closer that seems to be with the truth on this matter.

The Bible says we should not make provision for the flesh, and I would say that if we do make provision; we will fall to whatever temptations we have thus invited.

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"We are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets; Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief Cornerstone!" (Eph.2:20).

Your brother in Christ

David T. Battler

A Scripture that helps me is Revelation 1:6. It states "..and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father..." NKJV

Since I am a king, I ought to act like one.

Since I am a priest, I ought to act like one.

Would a king or a priest do what I'm being tempted to do?

Since God has changed my name (behavior) from a slave of sin to a king, priest and even a "child of God," it makes sense that each day I will grow into this new "nature" that God has given me.

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As the Happy Moments Roll,

Pastor Andrew

[This message has been edited by Andrew Marttinen (edited November 23, 2000).]