Yes you can!

I’ve been doing some thinking. Obviously. Otherwise, you wouldn't be reading this blog entry… but, I digress… 

Like I said, I have been doing some thinking about… Temptation. 

Not in a I’m going to give in to temptation; but how can the follower of Jesus come through a temptation unscathed? Is this even possible? Well, lets look at a few scripture verses to see if being victorious over temptation is in fact possible. 

But, before we do that, I want to mention that being tempted is not wrong. Giving in to the temptation is wrong, but its not wrong to be tempted. Everyone is tempted. Even Jesus. More on that in a moment. 

Also, we must remember that God does not tempt us. I once read/heard/saw/read something that said: “God test us to get get the best out of us, but satan tempts us to get the worst out of us.” James, the bother of Jesus would agree with me. He wrote: “13 And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. 14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.” (James 1:13-15)

God does not do the tempting. Temptation comes to us when we see something we can't have, or want to do something we shouldn't do, and we dont walk away from it.. when we don’t walk away from it and give into temptation, then we’ve messed up and we need to turn to God and ask for His forgiveness and mercy. 

But, is it possible to stand up in the face of temptation. It sure is. Let me give you two scripture verses that assure me that victory over temptation is possible. 

the first is the temptation of Jesus. (Good place to start) 

It’s found in Matthew chapter 4. 

Notice that This account happened immediately after Jesus’ Baptism. Just after a “mountain top experience with God”. Jesus had just had one of the best days spiritually ever, and then, immediately He was: “was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. 2 For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry.

3 During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.”

4 But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say,

‘People do not live by bread alone,

    but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, 6 and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say,

‘He will order his angels to protect you.

And they will hold you up with their hands

    so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’”

7 Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’”

8 Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.”

10 “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say,

‘You must worship the Lord your God

    and serve only him.’”

11 Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus. (NLT2)

Jesus was hungry. Just was tired. Jesus probably wanted to get out of the dessert. This was the time when the devil came to tempt Him. (This is also the same strategy the devil uses on us; only I can add two more times when the devil comes to tempt us: Angry, Lazy, Hungry and tired.)

The devil promised Jesus the world. Literally. 

The devil promised Jesus more food than He could ever imagine. 

The devil promised Jesus Protection… But Jesus stood tall against the schemes of the devil. 

“Yes”, you might say, “but He's Jesus, I’m not”.

You are correct. He was Jesus. We are not. 

hence, Paul’s writing. We read this in 1 Corinthians 10: “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.” (NLT2)

We all face temptation. From me wanting to put me first, to taking that second glance, no one is immune from temptation. Because this is true, we need a way out from temptation. and Paul reminds us that We have one! God will provide a way out of the temptation. 

Sometimes that means walking away from a compromising situation. Other times that might mean that we have to pick up the phone and ask someone for help. Other times God will intervene in our lives and provide assistance; but it is possible for us not to give in to temptation. 

the primary way that we can not give in, is as Jesus said: “pray so that you will not fall into temptation.” (Matthew 26:41)

It is possible to have victory over temptation. It is possible because God is faithful. 

If you're struggling with something today, I want you to know that God sees you and He is ready and willing to help you through your time of temptation, will you take the help that He has to offer? 

Don’t be afraid to reach out and talk to someone either. We're in this thing called life together, and we’re supposed to help each other out, so pick up the phone can ask for help. You’ll be glad you did.