“But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and sin when it is full-grown, brings forth death” (James 1:14-15)
The process of sin and death starts with temptation and enticement. For Satan to plunge the whole mankind into sin, he started with tempting Eve. It is true temptation in itself is not sin but tempting offers and situations must be avoided like a plague. The human flesh has cravings and desires, and Satan who is the mastermind behind temptation knows every individual’s tendencies. He knows those who are inclined and weak towards jealousy (King Saul), women (King Solomon), greed (Gehazi), pride (King Nebuchadnezzar), cheating and lying (Jacob), anger (Moses), etc. If temptation is not nipped in the bud, it produces sin and death. An African folktale tells about a hunter who went hunting and found a fancy lion cub. It appealed to him so much that he brought the cub to the village. When the villagers saw the little lion, they told the hunter to return it to the bush. But the hunter was adamant saying it is young, harmless and he can handle it. He kept the lion cub in a safe place and began to feed it with chicken. As the lion grew, he started feeding it with goats and still insisted on keeping it. As the lion was growing so was the lion’s appetite for blood and flesh. Long story made short, the lion eventually mauled the hunter and his entire family.
Temptation starts with an evil, ungodly desire. If succumbed to, it becomes sin. When sin is full grown like the lion cub, it kills. I pray you and I always find grace to stop the process of temptation becoming sin and producing death. Below are ways of overcoming temptations:
1) Acknowledge divine grace always: Grace is a lifter and also an upholder. None of us is a match to the cravings of the flesh and to Satan’s enticements, but the grace of God in us puts us over and above. “When its sin versus grace, grace wins hands down” (Romans 5:20, MSG). We are not alone during temptation, we must always realize our sufficiency is of God, and when temptation knocks on our door, we should remember divine grace.
2) Cultivating a habit of regular prayer: Jesus instructed His disciples to pray, “Lead us not into temptation and deliver us from evil” (Matthew 6:13). The truth is anyone can yield to temptation but prayer is a fortress that builds up our inner defenses and also provides us with spiritual covering and protection.
3) Exercise in Godliness: The word ‘exercise’ in 1 Timothy 4:7 where we are instructed to exercise ourselves in godliness is from the Greek word ‘gumnaze’ where the word gymnasium emanates. The Bible enjoins us to work out spiritually and become spiritually fit. Job’s way of working out spiritually is by compelling his eyes not to look lustfully at a woman not his wife (Job 31:1). David’s way of working out was to memorize and deliberately hide God’s Word in his heart (Psalm 119:9,11).
4) Have a strategy: Temptation always have a pattern. We all have vulnerable moments when we are most prone to yield to sin. Know your weak moments because the tempter knows it. The Bible says we must be mindful of Satan’s schemes so that he doesn’t outwit us (2 Corinthians 2:11). Be proactive when it comes to handling temptation.
5) Flee temptation: Undoubtedly, the best way to handle temptation is to flee from it. We should allow the fear of God permeate deep into us such that whenever we are tempted to sin, the only thing we should consider is the way out of it. You cannot bring fire into your bosom without having your clothes burnt, neither can you walk on hot coals without having your feet seared (Proverbs 6: 27-28).
CONCLUSION: Handling temptation successful starts from having a right heart. Genuine salvation in Christ gives the recipient a heart transplant. The heart of stone is removed and a heart of flesh that loves God is implanted. Receive Jesus today and allow Him to keep working on your heart.
Have a blessed new month.
Ade(Gboyega) ESAN
http://gboyegae.blogspot.com
www.rccgpittsburgh.net
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