You can’t do it alone

Sin is something that we battle on a daily bases. Satan tries to put obstacles in our way to get us to disobey what God has told us to do.

We know about this in his first appearance in Genesis 3.

Peter warned the persecuted believers about Satan in his letter to them,

“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 NLT

So from the time of the fall, sin has been a problem for us as humanity.

Even though we have the forgiveness of sin through Jesus, we still have a sinful nature that we battle daily. We can choose to do what is right or wrong. And even in that choice we have help from a faithful God.

Paul tells the church in Corinth,

“The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT

We will always have temptations to do the wrong thing while we live on this earth. Satan will try to entice us to do the wrong and even taunt us that we are defenseless to overcome it.

Yet, our defense is God. He promised to be faithful. Sin can’t overpower us because God will provide us a way out so that we can endure.

So, what help did God offer us to resist temptation?

1. Assurance to know that we are not alone

“So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. 15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most”. Hebrews 4: 14-16 NLT

2. He told us to pray,

“Pray like this:…. And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.” Matthew 6: 9 & 13 NLT

3. Studying His Word (We have to know right and wrong according to His Word)

“How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word. I have tried hard to find you—don’t let me wander from your commands. Psalms 119:9-10 NLT

4. Memorizing His Word

“I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” Psalms 119:11 NLT

5. Resist the devil

“So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you.” James 4:7-8a NLT

In order to fight temptation you have the use God’s Word the help you resist the lies that Satan will tell you.

Praying to God for help will draw you closer to God. Studying God’s Word help you to know right from wrong. Memorizing God’s Word will help you to have words to speak over the lies.

Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, provides them with instructions on how to combat the devil with the help of the Lord.

“A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle, you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” Ephesians 6:10-18 NLT

Every day we know that we will be facing the temptation to do wrong. God knows our weaknesses and helps us. Will you take the help?