How to Say "No!" to Temptation . . . ASAP!

Most Believers in their struggle against temptation - often find themselves battling one particular temptation more than others. Not surprising. The Enemy knows our weaknesses, and will often attack us at our point of greatest vulnerability. Therefore, we must be diligent and intentional in our battle to say "No!" to temptation. And in saying "No!" - we must do it ASAP! We cannot give temptation any "hearing." We must respond quickly and decisively. Consider the following strategy:

Avoid (as much as possible) situations and circumstances that add "fuel to the fire" of the particular temptation you are facing. The Apostle Paul puts it this way when he writes in Romans 13:14, "Make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts." So if your temptation is lust, don't spend time alone surfing the Internet. If you are an alcoholic, don't hang out at the neighbor bar. Stay away from the things that can arouse temptation in your life.

Stop the tempting thought from implanting itself in your mind - and do so within the first five seconds! In 1 Corinthians 10:13 we read, "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." It is clear from this passage that God always gives us a "way out" from any temptation we face. But that "way out" must be grabbed within the first five seconds of the temptation. If it is not, we will most likely be overwhelmed by its power (see yesterday's posting as to why this is the case). So the "way out" is always at the front end of the temptation!

Apply the Philippians 4:8 test to your "thought life!" Philippians 4:8 reads as follows: "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." When any thought enters your head, evaluate it against the standards God establishes here in this verse. And if the thought fails to measure up - then get rid of it! And replace the tempting thought with thoughts that do pass the test. When your mind is filled with thoughts that fit the standards of Philippians 4:8, there will be no room for tempting thoughts to take root!

Pursue a life of good works! It is true that good works don't save us. But that does not mean good works have no place in a Believer's experience. In fact, quite the opposite is true. Listen to what Paul writes in Ephesians 2:10: "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." God is at work in us, shaping us, so that we might DO GOOD WORKS! And if we pursue the doing of good works, temptation will have less opportunities to entice us. As someone once said, "Temptation grows fast in the garden of idleness!"

So .... don't wait until temptation comes calling. Look over this strategy and begin putting it into practice, ASAP! Together, let's grow stronger in saying "No!" to temptation!

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj