How to Respond to Temptation

Someone once said, “Do not worry about avoiding temptation. As you grow older, it will avoid you”. That would be good news if that were true. But unfortunately, it is not true. No one outgrows temptation. There will always be temptation, regardless of age or other factors. But the good news is that you can grow in your ability to respond to temptation so that you overcome more and more and fail less and less. And that is the purpose of the teaching today. God wants you and me to bring praise to his name by the way we respond when temptations come. And he wants us to avoid sin and its ugly consequences. How should you and I respond to temptation? The Bible gives us many effective principles and commands. We will overcome temptation when we follow those instructions from God. Today, we will look at 3 right ways to deal with temptation. We should not blame God when we are tempted as if it’s God’s fault that we are tempted. We do right to take responsibility and respond rightly when we are enticed to do wrong. And we need to ask God’s help (including the assistance of the spiritual family) so that we can win the war with sin. As followers of Jesus Christ and children of God, no one and nothing can hinder us from becoming all that God wants us to be. God has given you all the power, wisdom, and support to win over temptation each time it comes. You only fail when you don’t respond the way you should. Yet God is gracious and helps you and me bounce back and win the next time around. Are you being tempted with some special temptation these days? Do you feel that the temptation is too strong and that you are too weak to resist? Don’t give in! You have the power to overcome! You will win that war. The Lord will help you. God does not fail. Whatever need you may have or situation you may be facing today, the Lord wants to lift you up. Come near to God. Surrender the control of your life to him. You will be pleasantly surprised at how things will begin to change in your life. The Lord will help and bless you!