God provides everything we need to live a godly life. The Creator, who marvelously designed our bodies, complete with the brain's central control system and our senses, emotions, skills, and talents, knows how we function. This same God empowers us to overcome sin and temptation. Let's explore how prayer, fellowship, serving others, confession, and accountability with God’s armor of Scripture will empower resistance to the world’s seduction.
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1. The Key to Understanding Freedom in Christ
"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." - John 8:36
Being human, we face temptation daily, especially in a culture of self-indulgence, doing whatever makes you happy without regard for moral or ethical boundaries. This can include pursuing wealth, indulging in sexual promiscuity, or engaging in substance abuse, all under the guise of personal fulfillment and self-expression. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that the dire trends of sexually transmitted infections are on the rise in most regions of the World, causing 2.5 million deaths each year.
The worldly perspective, shouting the mantra, “You only live once,” encourages people to seek pleasure and avoid constraints. This viewpoint emphasizes that making unrestricted personal choices and satisfying one’s desires leads to happiness. Having no obligations to anyone but oneself manifests in attitudes like avoiding long-term commitments, such as marriage or family responsibilities, and rejecting Scripture’s commands that require self-discipline or sacrifice.
These worldly suggestions of freedom lead to bondage. True liberty comes through yielding to God’s purposes, which provide the ultimate provision of teaching, correcting, and training in righteousness and overcoming sin’s entanglements.
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by renewing your mind. Then you can test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will." - Romans 12:2
2. How to Recognize and Resist Temptation
1 Corinthians 10:13 confirms overcoming power to resist wrongdoing.
“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful…and He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”
Recognizing temptation involves awareness of situations or triggers that lead us to sin. Resisting temptation requires a conscious effort to flee from those enticements and rely on the immense power of God's guidance to overcome them. For example, if tempted to look at inappropriate content online, replace the temptation immediately by turning away, praying, and reciting a scripture like the one from 1 Corinthians 10:13. Divert those tempted thoughts by calling a friend or engaging in a hobby. A powerful verse to have in our arsenal of resistance is 1 Corinthians 10:5:
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
The ongoing conflict between fleshly appetites and spiritual purity is real. “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). God provides 'ways of escape' when we recognize, resist, and turn away from temptations and yield to His guidance. “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).
3. Daily Prayer Is Your Greatest Weapon
Matthew 26:41 gives us this wisdom:
“Watch and pray so you will not fall into temptation”
Prayer is a simple and mighty miracle that can transform our thinking. It is a direct line to God, bridging the gap between our thoughts, words, and even our wordless cries, which He understands perfectly. Make it a habit to turn to heaven throughout the day, expressing gratitude, praise, and petition as you seek God's help in every decision. But don't stop there. Establishing a daily prayer routine and a consistent time each day when you can focus solely on your connection with God can make the days of the week more manageable and consistent. This routine is not just a habit but a lifeline that strengthens our relationship with God.
Consider the story of Joseph, who, despite being sold into slavery by his brothers, remained steadfast in his faith. While managing the household of the Egyptian official Potiphar, Joseph faced a persistent temptation from Potiphar's wife. Joseph's faith and reliance on prayer became his strength in this moment. When she grabbed his cloak and said, "Come to bed with me," Joseph left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house (Genesis 39:12). This act of resistance, fueled by his faith and prayer, is a powerful testament to the transformative nature of prayer and its role in resisting temptation.
Temptation is not a sin until we yield. With each refusal, we fortify ourselves to walk more faithfully in God's will. Watchman Nee, a Chinese church leader imprisoned for his faith, says, "Teach us to pray that we may cause the enemy to flee, that we his evil power may bind, His prisoners to free."
Photo Credit: Image created using DALL.E 2024 AI technology and subsequently edited and reviewed by our editorial team.
4. Dive into the Word of God for Wisdom
“It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.” - Titus 2:12
Consistent, habitual daily Bible reading is a must for the serious overcomer. Constant repetition of reading and applying Scripture constructs a habit that conforms the mind to God’s purity, thereby reinforcing willpower. Right thinking emerges. Scriptures such as Psalm 19:14, “May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock, and my Redeemer,” bolster the resolve to please God.
Adherence to the daily habit of Bible reading invigorates honorable choices. Similar to constructing building blocks of faith that establish a fortress against wrongdoing, 'hearing the word' (Romans 10:17) and allowing it to dwell within inspires outward actions. It equips us with God’s armor “to stand against the devil’s schemes” (Ephesians 6:11). By wielding 'the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God' (Ephesians 6:17), we become barricaded against sin’s coaxing.
Overcoming temptations is not effortless, like completing a 1000-piece puzzle in an hour. It requires patience, persistence, and a strategic approach anchored in God’s truth. Jesus said,
“Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it” (Luke 11:28).
Despite sometimes missing the mark, we can repent, and Jesus graciously forgives and affirms, “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus “(Romans 8:1).
5. Finding New Strength through Fellowship
"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." - Hebrews 10:24-25
Fellowship with other believers makes it easier for us to stand firm against sin. It empowers us to grow spiritually and receive wise counsel and encouragement in our walk with Christ. Daily Bible reading, prayer, and the friendship of like-minded believers help believers maintain spiritual health.
Arnold H. Glasgow’s advice, “A true friend never gets in your way unless you happen to be going down,” underscores the value of having a righteous, God-fearing friend. Engaging with such friends in regular Bible study, going to lunch after church, or building supportive relationships helps share struggles and provide reinforcement and accountability to God's commands.
Being present at a Bible-teaching church, surrounded by fellow believers pursuing truth and purity, advances a deeper commitment to God. As Thomas Brooks said, "Let those be thy choicest companions who have made Christ their chief companion." Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 emphasizes the benefit of friends:
“Two are better than one… if either of them falls down, one can help the other up.”
Photo Credit: Image created using DALL.E 2024 AI technology and subsequently edited and reviewed by our editorial team.
6. Serving Others Is a Path to Freedom
"You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love." - Galatians 5:13.
The closeness of dear friends who support, forgive, challenge, and love teaches us the value of relationships. Helen Keller said, “Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light.” Serving others cultivates humility and love, shifting focus from self-centered behaviors to God-centered actions. Aiding family and friends, we learn to prioritize others’ needs through mutual care. This selflessness breaks the chains of self-indulgent desires which sparks greater spiritual freedom.
When we help a friend in need, serve on a mission, or devote time and energy to others, our focus shifts away from our own issues. Jesus said,
“Give, and it will be given to you.” - Luke 6:38
The principle of serving in Mark 10:45 comes from Jesus: “Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Thinking of other’s needs first becomes a healing catalyst that displaces tempting thoughts and presents a sense of fulfillment and purpose. Booker T. Washington echoed this truth: “Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others.”
7. How Confession and Accountability Keep Us Free
"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." - James 5:16
There is something about confessing our faults to one another that heals our insides and is a freeing, unburdening release. In the Lord’s Prayer, we ask God to “forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” By forgiving others when they hurt us, we find God’s forgiveness. Being transparent and confessing wrongs brings relief and healing from guilt and shame. Our first accountability is to God, the one who has the power to forgive us. The scripture in 1 John 1:9 says,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
Finding the support of a trusted friend as an accountability partner helps us stay on track, providing support and prayer. Openness and honesty hamper sin from taking root. Scripture provides another important form of accountability:
"I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." - Psalm 119:11
Daily immersion in God’s word cultivates habits of righteousness, similar to the rigorous training regimen of an Olympic athlete. Its chain-breaking power resists sin and embraces a loyal commitment to follow God’s will. Finding freedom from sin and temptation involves a multifaceted approach centered on God's Word and spiritual disciplines. Daily prayer, obedience to God’s commands, and fellowship with other believers provide additional support and accountability. The Holy Spirit’s guidance and unfailing forgiveness lift us and set us back on the right path, fortifying us against future challenges, even when we stumble.
Remember, the liberty to overcome sin and the devil’s trap is not just a distant dream but a tangible reality. It leads to a life that honors God, even in a world full of enticement.
Photo Credit: Image created using DALL.E 2024 AI technology and subsequently edited and reviewed by our editorial team.
Originally published Tuesday, 28 May 2024.