Can I Overcome this Temptation?

April 25, 2017

Everybody is tempted. Jesus illustrated that as he was ""tempted in all points like we are, yet without sin.""

But how do we overcome the constant pull of the world, the flesh, and the devil?  Is it possible to not “enter in” to temptation? Is there a pill we can take? A step that will help us and help others?

Here's Jesus’ prescription, (and I would think no one would know better than Him!)

""Pray that you do not enter into temptation."" (Luke 22:40)

Jesus' prescription? Pray. And immediately following this statement, this was exactly what He did.

JESUS' GREATEST TEMPTATION

... was to run from the horrendous suffering of the cross. Satan from the beginning had tempted Christ to get Him to take an alternate route.

In the next moment, Jesus ""knelt down and began to pray"" (vs. 40). He asked the Father if he could be spared from the cup of suffering He was about to drink.

But the key to this prayer was the final sentence: ""Yet not my will, but Yours be done."" The bent will is the posture necessary for believers to resist temptation. But notice … this surrender happened in the presence of the Father in prayer. Prayer brings wisdom into the situation. In fact, prayer brings GOD into the equation.

Just like He prescribes for us, prayer worked. Jesus did not enter into temptation and we are all eternally grateful.

WHY PRAY?

Most of us think prayer is a matter of getting God to do what we want and need. But the greatest purpose of prayer is to come into the presence of Father and align your will with His. To let Heaven re-adjust your life to God's perfect, sovereign plan.

Such praying is your best antidote to temptation. You may ask that God alleviate some of the temptation. But our greatest prayer should be that we would not ""enter into"" temptation. It should be our constant, daily prayer. Can you imagine what this week would be like if you never entered in to the temptations before you? How effective you would become. How clearly you would hear God? What leadership and witness you could give to others?

Use the simple antidote prescribed by Christ. It worked for Him and it will work for you.

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