In Luke 4.1-13 we have the record of Jesus being tempted of Satan. Though He was tempted, He never yielded to temptation (Hebrews 4.15). What a marvelous example we have to follow: our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2.21)! We ought often to thank God for this blessing.
We will not fare as well as did our Lord in meeting temptation (Romans 3.23). However, we do have the ability to resist temptation and we CAN be successful in our battle with Satan and S-I-N! Three points should make this clear to us. Please study the references attached to these points…
- We have a HEAVENLY EXAMPLE (Luke 4.1-13).
- We have a HEAVENLY ASSURANCE (1 Corinthians 10.13).
- We have a HEAVENLY PRESCRIPTION–Revelation 3.10. The saints at Philadelphia were commended by the Lord. They had kept His word of PATIENCE. That word means: “to continue to bear up despite difficulty and suffering … to put up with…” [Louw-Nida]. God’s Word is that which makes it possible to resist temptation (Psalm 119.11).
An “entire alphabet of help” (26 total) from Scripture to resist temptation…
In order to meet temptation with Christ, we must. . .
- A. “Keep the word of Christ’s patience” (Rev 3:10).
- B. Know the Bible (Psalms 119:11).
- C. Be godly (2 Peter 2:9).
- D. Look for the way to escape temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13).
- E. Remember Lot’s wife (Luke 17:32).
- F. Use the “Spiritual EPA” (Philippians 4:8).
- G. Follow the Example of Jesus (Matthew 4:1-11).
- H. Pray (Matthew 26:41).
- I. KNOW that we are ABLE to resist (1 Corinthians 10:13).
- J. Don’t allow temptations to discourage and then destroy (1 Peter 5:6-7).
- K. Refuse to allow Satan to create doubt in your mind about what God has said or what He really means (Genesis 3:4-5).
- L. Refuse to believe Satan’s lie that something good will come from doing something evil (Genesis 3:4-5).
- M. Do not allow Satan to use your God-given ability to envision, visualize, and fantasize to create a picture of the pleasure of sin–these pleasures are ONLY for a season (Genesis 3:4-5; Hebrews 11:25).
- N. Remember that when God says NO to something it is NOT to diminish your pleasure, but to ENHANCE it (John 10:10).
- O. Remember this world is not your home (1 Peter 1:17).
- P. Think about the NEW ways God can use you as you choose not to yield to temptation (Hebrews 11).
- Q. THINK about how much might be riding on the decision you are about to make (Matthew 16:26).
- R. Realize that it is OK to be angry about SIN (John 2:13; Mark 3:5)–Personalize the enemy: SATAN.
- S. Beware of your STRENGTHS (1 Corinthians 10:12).
- T. Shift your energy from preoccupation with life’s inconveniences and your own pain to GOING TO WORK FOR THE LORD–Put on the Lord Jesus (Romans 13:14).
- U. Know that the way out of temptation is THROUGH it–Patiently endure it and do so with JOY (James 1:2).
- V. Understand that the Bible speaks of SINS OF IMAGINING (e.g., Matthew 5:27-28).
- W. Do not waste time devising evil plans or making provision for the flesh, BUT rather put on the Lord Jesus (Romans 13:14).
- X. Do not forget about the OMNISCIENCE OF GOD–Some day all that you thought was secret and hidden will be made manifest and made known (Luke 8:17).
- Y. Appreciate and use the DISCERNING POWER OF GOD’S WORD (Hebrews 4:12).
- Z. Bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).
Life on this earth is filled with trials, temptations, and disappointments. In order to live the best way it is possible to live here, we must be determined to: MEET TEMPTATION WITH CHRIST.
