Overcome Temptation
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. James 1:12
It’s safe to say that no one gets through this life without temptation. The fallen world that we live in is laden with traps to keep us in bondage. They are disguised to look better – the easy way out, but it is all a lie. I don’t think any of us would say that we were better off from giving in to temptation. When we endure temptation and make the right choice by obeying God, we are rewarded with the blessing.
The devil even tried to tempt Jesus, with a shortcut to what He came to do. He proposed a way to gain authority in the world once again without going to the cross. Obviously, it was tempting for Jesus to gain back authority without paying the price of His life, but He knew it was a lie.
The devil will always use the thing that we want the most and present it in a way that seems easier, a quick gratification. However, he will never reveal the consequences of doing things his way. The end result of falling into temptation is stealing, killing, or destroying something in your life.
John 10:10 says, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy..” Therefore, the result of falling into temptation will only do one of those three things. However, the rest of John 10:10 says, “I (Jesus) have come that they (you) may have life and that they (you) may have it more abundantly.” Following Jesus will only lead to abundant life, which is the blessing.
So how did Jesus deal with the temptation? He used the Word of God which is how we are to handle temptation as well. Jesus responded to each suggestion from the devil by saying, “it is written..” Ephesians 6 calls the Word of God a sword of the Spirit. It is with that sword that we can pierce the devil. Nothing but the Word of God will stop the devil in his tracks and cause Him to flee.
You will get the victory over any temptation in your life by speaking the Word of God. Revelations 12:11 says, that we overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. Jesus got the victory for us by His blood however, the second part is up to us. We have to know the Word and speak the Word. So when the devil comes knocking at your door, recognize him and speak the Words of life and you will have the victory!
