Three Ways to Resist Temptation

July 19, 2019

O taste and see that the Lord is good; how blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! Psalm 4:8

1. RECOGNIZE YOUR NEED FOR JESUS. We all need Jesus. We all have sinned. When Jesus bore our sins on the Cross, the devil thought he had won by killing Jesus. But God, in His infinite wisdom, worked a miracle and reconciled the world to Himself through Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:19). Today God is still taking what the devil meant for harm and turning it around for good!

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.1 John 1:9

2. RUN TO GOD. One millisecond in the presence of the Lord is better than anything. At one time, the devil, who is the father of lies, led worship in heaven. But eventually he began to question why he himself was not the one being worshiped (Isaiah 14:13), and he fell from heaven. He still whispers his seductive lie to humanity – from Eve to Jesus – telling us that we don’t need God’s presence, that we have power and glory on our own. That’s why we must go to the truth to get free, and just as Jesus resisted the devil by speaking God’s Word we too can resist the temptation of the devil’s lies (Matthew 4).

You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever. Psalm 16:11

3. RECEIVE GOD’S HELP. Jesus came to give life and give it more abundantly. But, because God gave us free will, it’s essential that we receive it. It’s the kindness of God that leads us to repentance (Romans 2:4). If you are being seduced by the devil’s lies and are numbed out; if you are battling discouragement or temptation – resist it and run to the Lord. He will help you to go forward in His strength and power. When Jesus comes into your life He makes you a brand new creation. He’ll take your numbed-out hard heart and give you a heart that is tender toward Him.

Press on,
Pastor Jeff Perry

DAILY CONFESSION:
I taste and see that the Lord is good. (Psalm 34:8). I submit to God and resist the devil and he flees from me (James 4:7). The name of the Lord is a strong tower – I run into it and am saved (Proverbs 18:10). I am not conformed to this world but I go to the Word and am transformed by the renewing of my mind (Romans 12:2). Good and upright is the Lord; therefore He instructs me in the way (Psalm 25:8).

re·sist, verb
To take action in opposition to. To take action to defeat or thwart. To remain unaltered, undamaged, or unaffected by; withstand. To keep from giving in to.

Copyright © 2019 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. “resist.” American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 4th edition. Web. 17 July.