Overcoming Temptation

When facing temptation, turn to the One who resisted and overcame it all, Jesus. Let Christ and the Holy Spirit show you the way out from under the grip of temptation, so that you may flee from it and endure it, without compromise. He's been there and He's there to help you as well.

August's Message, Day 24:

Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. Hebrews 2:18 NIV

It is helpful for us to remember that as a man, Jesus was tempted just like we are. The difference, however, is that Jesus, the man, was fully empowered by the Holy Spirit, and as such was fully able to completely resist all temptation and remain perfectly sinless. He was born holy, of the Holy Spirit, and remained holy. We, however, since the Garden, have lost our holiness and hence all of us are born sinful. The good news is that while we are certainly sinners, we also may be empowered by the Holy Spirit to help us resist temptation, although never fully and perfectly. Jesus is there to help us as He can empathize with our struggles and strife, too. Always remember what we have been told in 1 Corinthians 10:13; "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. 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 endure it." You must keep that Scripture in your heart and practice it. Ask God for the way out and He will show you the best method to remove yourself from the presence of the temptation. Most importantly, you must follow His leading and earnestly seek the way out. Struggle still we will, but Jesus, the One who overcame, is there to help us be overcomers, too.