YOU CAN BEAT TEMPTATION
By Pastor Lem Niere
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it”
1 Corinthians 10:13.
Everyone has to deal with temptations at one time or another, so you don’t need to feel embarrassed if you’re facing one right now. But at the same time, you don’t have to succumb to temptation, because it is something you can overcome! All temptations can be beaten! You just have to make up your mind that you’re going to be the conqueror and not the conquered.
The devil tries to lure us into sin by influencing our mind and emotions. He injects thoughts to get us stirred up in a certain area of life. At that moment, you are consciously aware that you can let the temptation pass by—or you can allow those thoughts to fester in your mind. Each time a temptation surfaces you are aware of making a choice. If you don’t put on the brakes and stop those tempting thoughts, the devil will conquer you.
That’s why it’s so important that you learn how to control your thoughts. If you can keep your mind under the control of the Holy Spirit, you will make it almost impossible for the devil to defeat you in any realm of your life.
The devil is a master in mind manipulation. He knows that if he can get you to spend a little time meditating on something wrong, he can eventually entice you to do it! Like the roaring lion, Satan watches for the right timing. He comes at an opportune moment. He waits until you are tired, weary, or exasperated. When negative thoughts begin to deluge your mind, know for sure that it is Satan setting a trap for you.
Our text is a promise. God will help us, even making a way of escape for us. Like the story of Joseph when he was being enticed by Potiphar’s wife—he fled from her presence. The apostle Paul tells the believers to “flee” evil influences.
(see 1 Corinthians 6:18 and 10:14).
If you know you’re being tempted to angrily explode—walk out before it happens! If you know you’re being tempted to get your feelings hurt—go somewhere else to avoid the offense! If you know you’re being tempted to slip into laziness, then get up and get busy! If you know you’re being tempted to steal, get as far away as you can from the coveted object!
Millions of Christians are held captive because they will not take the leap through that escape hatch. As a result, they have no joy, no peace, and no victory in their lives. If you’ll say yes to the Lord, He will show you how to walk out of this mess.
You are the only one who can choose to walk out of those killer mental attacks or negative situations.
The moment you make that decision, your journey to freedom has begun!
