Just in case you’ve never been told, sin is wrong, and should be avoided. If you’re on this page, I’m guessing you know that, and are wanting to attempt to do a better job resisting temptation (James 4:7). Something important to keep in mind is that temptation is not from, as God doesn’t tempt and isn’t tempted. We are tempted when we follow our own desires and then reject God’s way (sin) which has its consequences (James 1:13-15). There are 3 responses to temptation that we’re going to take a look at which will be followed by some practical advice.

Response 1: Give in. King David was known as a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22). He spoke often of his love for God and wanting to follow his ways (Psalms). However, he also had a tendency to give in to temptation. In 2 Samuel 11, we have an example of how temptation is a dangerous and slippery slope when you give in. Rather than being about his business, David lounges and lingers and allows his eyes to wander. Have you ever noticed that when you’re bored, your eyes, ears, and mind start to wander more easily? He sees a woman bathing and then lusts after her. He doesn’t stop at lust, he has an affair with her, resulting in pregnancy. Then he attempts to cover it up, which fails. So he murders her husband, a faithful warrior in his army, so he can then marry her. I’m sure he never expected to become a murderer due to boredom and allowing a wandering eye. There’s a poignantly powerful song called Slow Fade by Casting Crowns that speaks to the heart of giving in to temptation and the road it leads down. As Jesus paid for all our sin, past, present and future, we can do whatever we want, whenever we want, right? You know, “Just do it!” Absolutely not!! (Romans 6). I have experienced the slide of repeatedly giving in to temptation and ended up somewhere way beyond what I would have expected when I began.

Response 2: Resist it. Jesus was fully God, but was also fully man and was tempted in every way we are, yet was without sin (Hebrews 4:15). Jesus was constantly bombarded with opportunities to sin, but one of the more famous times was when he was tempted by the devil in the desert (Matthew 4; Mark 1; Luke 4). Satan tried to appeal to Jesus’ physical needs (hunger), then to his pride/power (show off/prove yourself) and finally to his character (take a shortcut instead of waiting for God’s timing). He even cleverly used pieces of Scripture to back up his points. Have you heard someone pick parts of Bible verses to excuse behaviors? Jesus meanwhile shows that he knows and understands the Word of God (as the personification of the Word) by using it in defense of his position to not give in. He turned Satan’s temptations and accusations into praise of God for who He is. The devil had no choice but to leave as temptation became worship. Temptation wants us to turn from God and focus on ourself. Worship turns the focus from self to God and hence, away from temptation.

Response 3: Flee from it. Joseph, in Genesis 39, was the highest servant in Potiphar’s household and the only thing off limits was Potiphar’s wife. However, Joseph caught had her eye and she daily tried to get him to lie with her. He resisted. She persisted. He spoke the truth about refusing to sin against his master AND against God. She grabbed ahold of him and tried to force him, so he literally fled, leaving his garment in her hand. At what point would you have given in- the first flirt, the 2nd or third request, after months of begging or the final aggressive act of desperation? I know I would probably not have been thinking about God’s will at that point in Joseph’s life, let alone my master’s authority or household. But Joseph responded through declining, giving reason to back up the decline, trying to avoid her and when those weren’t accepted, he literally fled he situation. He had conviction to God’s will and loyalty to his master. Yet after all that, he still ended up in prison, framed for doing what he refused. And by trusting God through it all, ended up saving his family and his people.

Based on these examples, here are a few things I have learned that apply to our daily lives.

Let your character be blameless – Jesus and Joseph both lived lives of consistent godly conduct which showed their reliance on God’s will – “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,” (Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭27‬) ‭

Lay aside the obvious temptations – David fell to temptation partially due to availability during a full moment, while Joseph had availability forced upon him. We need to remove roots of temptations from daily life or remove ourselves from situations that constantly hit us at our most vulnerable – if it’s lust of the eyes, remove obvious sources; if it’s gossiping or slandering others, don’t go out with that group that’s always badmouthing people; whatever the source of the temptation, cut it out of your life. Sometimes you need to be radical and different than the cultural norm to be effective. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,” (Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬)

Don’t wait for temptation to look for escape – Memorizing Scriptures in advance will help you say, “No” with more conviction. Knowing where you stand on subjects, and why will help you be able to respond when confronted by temptation. Our opinions are one thing, but the unchangeable Word of God is what should be our ‘go to’ response. “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews‬ ‭4‬:‭12‬). God gave us His Word to help us follow the path laid out for us.

You don’t have to give in/ you are not alone – David could have looked the other way immediately, Jesus resisted until the devil left him alone, and Joseph ran out of the room. There’s always a way to avoid sinning if you will turn to God for help (sometimes this means contacting another Christian and asking for help – you are never alone in this). “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭13‬)

Turn temptation into opportunity – temptation is most successful when we focus on ourselves (I would like to…I would enjoy… I, I, I). Joseph and Jesus both turned the temptation into opportunity to focus on God – Joseph was most concerned about sinning against God while Jesus focuses on the Word of God to prevent violating it. When tempted to do or say or think X, rather than just a no, start to praise God for what He has done/ is doing and then speak His Word back to Him. You’ll find yourself worshiping God instead of giving in to temptation.

Friend, whatever temptations you are facing, don’t ignore them or flirt with them or give them a foothold in your life. If you’re beyond temptation and living with sin, follow David’s example and repent and seek help or it will continue to grow and get worse as it goes. When faced with temptation, stand true by the grace of God and when necessary, run (Ephesians 6)!