All of us have encountered the painful act of giving into temptation. Some people follow the advice of Oscar Wilde, “The only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it.”

When I was a child, my greatest temptation was food. I never met a donut I didn’t like. The cereal I ate didn’t help: Lucky Charms (filled with candy), Froot Loops (you would think it was healthy but fruit was spelled froot, probably a recommendation from their lawyers), and Frosted Flakes (covered with non-nutritive shellac). For lunch I would eat a Hostess Twinkie (although it’s debatable that it’s really food). I realized that a waist is a terrible thing to mind. It seems in America we’re tempted by food everywhere except aboard commercial airplanes. I learned that if hunger is not the problem, then eating is not the solution.

When I want to learn something, I go to someone who has succeeded. If you want to overcome temptation you can follow the example of Jesus,

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led around by the Spirit in the wilderness. (Luke 4:1)

Just because you’re in the wilderness, it doesn’t mean that God’s not leading. Neal Anderson writes, “The essence of all temptation is the invitation to live independent of God and fulfill legitimate needs in the world, the flesh, or the devil instead of Christ.” Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay.

When yielding to temptation you may lose in a moment what it took a lifetime to gain. Don’t sacrifice what you want most for what you want in the moment. The devil knows our weaknesses. You will be tempted physically (the lust of the flesh). Jesus fasted for forty days and the devil tempted him turn the stones into bread. Jesus responded with God’s word,

And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE.’” (Luke 4:4)

You will also be tempted by the things of the world (the lust of the eyes). The devil led Jesus up a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world and offered them to Jesus if He would worship him.

Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD AND SERVE HIM ONLY.’” (Luke 4:8)

Finally, you will be tempted spiritually (the pride of life). The devil tempted Jesus to throw Himself off the highest point of the temple. Jesus again responded with God’s word,

for it is written, ‘HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU TO GUARD YOU,’ (Luke 4:10)

What is your strategy for overcoming temptation? Jesus gained the victory by responding with God’s word and so can you.

Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

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