What Are Examples Of Temptations
Temptation is something you want to have or to do, even though you know you shouldnt. That bag of peanut butter cups on top of your fridge might be an example of a temptation. The thing that you want despite knowing its not good for you like the cool sneakers you really cant afford is a temptation.
Bible Warnings About Temptation
The other day I read something written years ago. The statement was something like this, A victorious Christian life may still be a tempted life. I had never thought about it in just that way. Somehow in my mind I had the idea that ALL temptation would be completely done away with at some point in my Christian walk.
Of course, I know the scripture, Hebrews 4:15: For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Jesus was tempted. We read of those temptations in Luke Chapter 4. Those temptations were real. Jesus felt the pangs of desire for power and glory when Satan made an offer with the stipulation that Jesus worship him or else those temptations were a farce. But He was tempted, yet without sin.
We Need the Bible Because Temptation Will Always Be With Us
So often I have prayed for someone to be set free from the bondage of alcoholism, drugs, and other things that wreak havoc in lives. Once freed from the control by the power of God, they feel something is terribly wrong because they find themselves still tempted again at times in the same area. More than once I have heard, I must not be set free. Something still has hold of me.
Fighting Temptation And Sin
Sometimes we would rather complain than make war. We have to make war with sin until death. Go to war with those thoughts. Go to war when that sin seeks to pick at you. Go to war with those worldly desires. God I dont want this help me fight! Get up! Walk around and do what you have to do so you dont sin! If those thoughts seek to take over cry out to God! Make war with anger!
8. Romans 7:23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me.
9. Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
10. Romans 8:13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.
11. Galatians 5:16-17 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.
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Deny Ungodliness And Cultivate Godliness
This side of eternity, you will always be subject to temptation in some respect, for they are common to man . Watch yourself! Temptation succeeds when your heart is unprepared for it. So, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts . Take control of your lusts do not let them control you.
It is not enough only to deny ungodly desires you must also find your godly desires fulfilled in the Lord.
It is not enough only to deny ungodly desires you must also find your godly desires fulfilled in the Lord. Instead of looking for pleasure apart from God, Delight yourself in the Lord And He will give you the desires of your heart . Draw near to Him and give Him thanks for the many good gifts He showers upon His people .
Be ready at all times to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age . Strive against sin in your life and seek to do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ .
Overcoming Temptation: A Biblical Perspective
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For a Christian, success often means growing closer to God. A key aspect in this pursuit is the fight against temptation. So what can you do when youre tempted? For the Christian wanting to overcome temptation to sin, consider these biblical strategies to grow in holiness before God.
For the purposes of this article, we will define temptation based on the Bible as anything that influences you to disobey God. Truly any situation you face in life will either promote your growth or promote your destruction. The determining factor is what you decide in your heart to do. Will you obey God and draw near to Him, or will you rebel against God and run from Him? You are not a passive victim here. Instead of choosing to sin, resolve to implement the following strategies to overcome temptation in your life.
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God Will Strengthen Us
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Ephesians 6:10-13
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
Verses About Gods Supremacy Over Our Trials
Jesus understands our temptation and helps us through it.
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:15-16
For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted. Hebrews 2:18
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Guard Your Thought Life And Resist Temptation
Set your mind on Christ. Focus on Him and His great love for you. When your mind is so set on Christ it will not be set on anything else. Preach the gospel to yourself. When youre focused on Jesus and running towards Him you will not want to stop at distractions around you because you are so focused on Him.
Remove the dead weight that is holding you back and run. I didnt say that because it sounds good. Look at all the dead weight that is holding you back on your walk of faith right now. We all have them. Remove them so you can run with endurance.
12. Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
13. 2 Timothy 2:22 Flee from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
Recognize Your Tendency To Sin
James 1:14 explains that we are tempted when we become enticed by our own natural desires. The first step toward overcoming temptation is to recognize the human tendency to be seduced by our own fleshly cravings.
The temptation to sin is a given, so don’t be surprised by it. Expect to be tempted daily, and be prepared for it. The apostle Peter reminds us to stay on the lookout:
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
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What Does The Bible Say About Temptation 5 Powerful Truths To Help You In Your Fight
Struggling with temptation?
If you answered no, then biblically speaking, you are not being honest . Battling sin and temptation is a characteristic of all true Christians. Weve been set free from the power of sin, but that doesnt mean we live a perfect and sinless life.
We are called to put off the old man and put on the new man , walking in newness of life. As we grow and mature as believers, our struggles may changebut they do not completely go away. One struggle may go away, and God may reveal to us another sin that was there all along, something we didnt see because we were so fixated on other struggles.
What does the Bible say about resisting temptation and overcoming sin?
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You Should Not Be Doing Anything That Triggers Temptation
Here are a few examples. Never be alone in a room with the opposite sex for a long period of time. Stop listening to ungodly music. Stop hanging around ungodly friends. Stay off those sinful websites and be careful on social media. Stop dwelling on evil. Cut down on the TV. Little small things that you do will affect you. We have to listen to the Spirit when it comes to even small matters. Anything can lead to sin. Sometimes something as simple as watching one YouTube video can lead to watching worldly videos. We have to be careful. Are you listening to the Spirits conviction?
21. Proverbs 6:27-28 Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned?
22. 1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be misled: Bad company corrupts good character.
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Temptation In The Bible
Biblical Characters Who Gave In To Temptation:
Samson revealed his secret to Delilah.
David committed adultery with Bathsheba.
Adam & Eve disobeyed God and ate from the forbidden tree.
Biblical Characters Who Resisted Temptation:
Joseph did not sleep with Potiphars wive even though he was heavily tempted.
Jesus resisted firm against all of Satans temptations while in the desert.
Job did not curse or speak against God during his affliction.
Steps To Overcome Temptation
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Living an exemplary life demands a lot of responsibility. It pays to live by a high moral and spiritual standard. However, temptations often draw us away from such noble ways of living. This post shares 8 responsibilities of the believer in overcoming temptation and living a victorious life above sin.
A temptation is the desire to do something, that is especially considered wrong or unwise. In the context of the Christian faith, a temptation is a tendency or urge to act or feel in a particular way contrary to the tenets of scriptures.
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The Root Of Temptation
1. First things first, know that God doesnt tempt anyone.
James 1:13 Let no one say when he is tempted, I am tempted by God for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.
2. Temptation comes from your own carnal desires.
James 1:14-15But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
3. Do not let sin reign and cause you to fall into temptation.
Romans 6:12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.
4. The desire to sin comes from within your heart.
5. Desires for pleasure come from your own body.
James 4:1 Where do wars and fights come from among you Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?
Meditate On Gods Word
The unsaved world around you entices and even pressures you to follow along with its wickedness. The Apostle Paul highlights the essence of the battle and its solution: And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect .
Sin is deceptive: it promises what it does not give and gives what it never promised.
How can you be transformed by the renewing of your mind? By filling your mind with the word of God, the Bible. The psalmist said, Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You . Remember how the Lord Jesus fought the temptations of Satan by repeatedly quoting the Scripture He had hidden in His heart .
The Apostle Paul gives two parallel commands about spiritual growth: be filled with the Holy Spirit and let the word of Christ richly dwell within you . That is, as you fill your heart with Gods word, the Holy Spirit enables you to obey Gods commands. So, when you walk by the Spirit you will not carry out the desire of the flesh .
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All You Need Is Love: Forgiveness
When Jesus saw faith, He said to the paralytic, Son, your sins are forgiven you.
The hardest part of forgiving another person is acting like the offense never occurred. But that is what forgiving someone meansrestoring relationships to the status they enjoyed before the offense took place. Its one thing to say, I forgive you, but its another to act like all the effects of an offense are completely erased. After all, according to Paul in 1 Corinthians 13, love is known by its actions more than its words.
Jesus faced this dilemma when He healed a paralytic man. When He told the man that his sins were forgiven , He was criticized. He was accused of blaspheming by saying He had the authority to forgive sinssomething only God can do. So, Jesus proved He had the authority to say, I forgive you, by doing something harder. He healed the mans paralysis. After all, as Jesus explained, actions speak louder than words .
We cannot go through life without being hurt by others, so we should learn to forgive. Even more, we should practice demonstrating our forgiveness by our acts of lovingkindness. Look for opportunities to do both.
Forgiveness is to be set loose from sins.G. Campbell Morgan
Temptation Is Not Sin Yielding To Temptation Is
With that background, Paul exhorted believers not to make the same choices the Israelites madenot to provoke Godâs discipline by willfully sinning. None of us is above Godâs discipline if we engage in sin. We must look for and take âthe way of escapeâ God provides in every situation where temptation is found . To think our temptation is unique is to believe a lie. âNo temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to manâ . There are no ânewâ temptations in life.
The apostle James argued that if temptation becomes serious, it is because we have allowed it to do so. Our own âdesiresâ entice us away from God and desire âgives birth to sinâ . God doesnât tempt us, but He may allow temptation to enter our lives in order to give us opportunities to make obedient and mature choices.
Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness, and He took the same means of escape that is available to usobedience to Godâs Word . Temptation is not sin yielding to temptation is. There is always a righteous choice to be made if we are willing to seek it.
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What Is Biblical Temptation
Definition. Temptation in the Biblical sense is a situation in which one experiences a challenge to choose between fidelity and infidelity to ones obligations toward God. God temptsu, i.e., tests mens fidelity to Himself men by their fidelity or infidelity tempt, i.e., test Him to reward or punish them.
Keep An Eternal Perspective
You are accountable to God. While you might be able to hide your sin from other people, know that the eyes of the LORD are in every place, watching the evil and the good .
Would you feel comfortable quenching your ungodly desire if Christ were with you at the time? And He is present with you through His Spirit. So, avoid sin and do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption, when Christ returns .
The preacher of Ecclesiastes exhorts you to shun a short-sighted under the sun mentality and instead to remember what happens in Gods eternity. He says, The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil .
Choose eternal rewards over temporal pleasure that is contrary to Gods plan for you. The long-term rewards of excellence and integrity are more than worth the effort!
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