A wife got in the car with her husband and noticed a crumpled up donut bag in between the seats. “Hey, what happened to your diet?” “Oh, I think the Lord wanted me to have that,” the husband said. “Sounds kind of fishy to me. What happened?” she said. “Well, as I drove past the donut shop I said to the Lord, ‘If you want me to go in and get a donut, make a parking place in front.’” The wife said, “And I suppose one just happened to be there when you showed up?” “Well, I had to drive around the block 6 times for it to show up, but sure enough there it was!” he said.
That is how many people resist temptation. Like one man boasted, “I can resist anything …except temptation.”
Having to deal with temptation in our lives is one of the ways that God develops Christ-like character in us. Remember His goal for us is to become like His Son.
Romans 8:29 – For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Jesus Himself was tempted. It is good to know that being tempted is not sinning. Temptation is not sin, but leads to sin. The gospels say that Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. The writer of Hebrew says:
Hebrews 4:15 – For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are–yet was without sin.
So far I have not met the person who is without sin (however, some act like they are!). We don’t become sinless, but we do sin less!
God gives us some ways to overcome temptation, and they work.
1. Change your input of info.
Philip. 4:8 – Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–meditate on these things.
It will be hard to overcome gossip on a steady diet of novelas and the chisme at the office. Garbage in … Garbage out..
Instead, think on the Bible. Reading the Bible is a powerful thing. Once you get into it, you begin to love it, and depend on it …. Really!
2. Cultivate good Christian friends.
Now I don’t mean someone who is a Christian in name only. I mean someone who honestly wants to serve and honor Jesus Christ. Your relationship with them will give you great courage to overcome Satan’s landmines in your life. In fact, if you know someone like that, stick to them like glue. You and all your family will get the benefit.
Hebrews 3:13 (NKJV) …but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
3. Commit to Pray
Believe it or not, there are some temptations that will not even happen to you if you ask for God’s help. Jesus told us to pray so that we would not be carried away into temptation.
Matthew 6:13 (NIV) And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. ‘One lady said, “Lead me not into temptation; I can find the way myself!” Let the Lord develop His character in you as you learn to overcome temptation.