Victory over temptations for Christian believers
What is a temptation?
It is a strong urge to do something that contradicts God’s will. Temptation is not just about sexual immorality, anger, and other sins we consider “huge.” We also give in to temptations when we refuse to follow God’s instructions in a particular mission.
Where do temptations come from?
Judging from James 1:13 and the story of Eden, temptations come from: 1. Satan. 2. Our flesh. Although we’re truly born again, our flesh (the desires of the soul) often exerts pressure on us and demands that we fulfill its demands. Satan is also responsible for our temptations. Wait! But, we’re born again! How can Satan tempt me? Well, the story of Jesus Christ being tempted proves one thing: Being saved does not exempt us from the devil’s temptations!
How do temptations occur?
All temptations occur in the form of thoughts, feelings, or desires.
Will temptations ever end?
No. Temptations cannot come to an end. Instead, we overcome them one after another. So, we must become strong by growing in the knowledge of God’s word and allowing it to alter and reshape our thinking.
How am I tempted?
There is no one specific way the enemy or the flesh tempts us. For Satan, he uses whatever circumstances we face to target us. Some of the areas the enemy exploits include:
- Sex life- The enemy wants us to engage in all sexual immorality and impurity if
- Finances– Satan wishes we would refuse to support God’s
- Social relations- The enemy can amplify insignificant issues between you and others to the extent of creating enmity.
- Emotions– When annoyed or excited, we should be very careful because that’s when the enemy wants us to say things that contradict God’s Also, we should be aware of the
counterattacks the flesh throws when suppressed by the Spirit.
- Self-identity– Satan’s temptation to Jesus was about self-identity. Satan wants us to embrace low self-esteem and doubt our position in Christ because there is no other way to defeat us except by making us despise, belittle, or ignore our positions.
What does Satan intend to achieve through temptations?
When a temptation comes from the flesh, there is nothing much spiritual about it. Instead, the flesh is simply looking for some immediate gratification. Either way, the outcome is the same: succumbing to temptations leaves us in a disadvantaged position. As for temptations from Satan, the intention is subtler and more dangerous. Satan tempts us to derail God’s plans for our lives.
Why am I tempted? Why does God allow temptations?
We should be careful not to associate God with temptations. God does not allow temptations. In short, we’re not tempted because God approves of it or because temptations serve any purpose. Instead, we’re tempted first because it is the nature of Satan to tempt people (Mathew 4:3). Second, temptations arising from the flesh occur because our fallen nature is naturally rebellious to the things of God (Gal. 5:17). Therefore, we should never imagine that God allows temptations or that they help us grow. God cannot entrust Satan with our spiritual growth. In fact, if you check carefully, you will realize that spiritual growth is more about the knowledge of God than overcoming temptations. We overcome temptations because we grow more in God.
How can I remain victorious over all temptations?
Renewal of mind–
We can only overcome temptations if we allow God’s word to change our way of thinking. We must allow it to demolish the arguments and ideas we’ve held for so long. Succumbing to temptations happens due to ambivalence and limited knowledge of God’s word. Satan could not succeed in tempting Jesus to sin because the latter had embraced God’s word as the final truth. In practical application, it means that when you face a sexual sin, you should remind yourself that “sexual sin should not even be hinted or mentioned among believers.” If tempted with anger, you should tell me that “I received the Spirit of self-control.”
Adopt the victor’s mindset–
God has promised us victory over temptations. He says that He will provide a way for us to escape or overcome temptations (1 Cor.10:13). Also, He says that since we’re born of God, we are expected to overcome the world (1 John 5:4). Interestingly, Satan always wants us to believe that we’re weak and victims when faced with temptations. He manipulates circumstances to make us believe we cannot control ourselves. Satan expected Christ to succumb to temptations due to hunger. The devil always starts by deceiving us that we’re victims. To defeat him, we must think like the victors we are.
Why we must not take temptations casually.
We have everything needed to overcome temptations. However, we can play around and find ourselves ensnared. We cannot afford complacency in dealing with temptations because:
The enemy is intentional about derailing our lives–
We might take temptations casually thinking they have no effect or power to change the cause of our destinies in this world, but that is a mistake. It is akin to mishandling fire; it surely burns!
Falling into temptations regularly can weaken our inner man–
Since the human character is shaped by habits, getting used to falling to temptations can extinguish “spiritual fire.” This can be equated with grieving the Spirit.
Falling into temptations all the time contradicts the nature and Grace in us– We have all the necessary weapons to withstand temptations.
