How To Use The Word Of God To Endure Temptation?


The Temptation of Christ, 1854

The Temptation of Christ, 1854 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Everybody faces temptation. It pursues you like a predator stork its prey. Young or old, temptation entices your wish. It follows you wherever you go. It enters into your thoughts, your dreams, and even into your prayers.

In the book of Matthew 18:7-9, Jesus warns that temptation to sin is sure to come:  He says:”Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to sin! Such things must come, but woe to the man through whom they come! If your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or disabled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into the eternal fire.  And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than  to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.”

There is absolutely no doubt that God could spare you from such enticement, but He has decided not to. Instead, He uses Jesus as an example for you to emulate. According to Matthew 4:3-7, He endures temptation after He had fasted for forty days and forty nights.

“Now when the devil came to Jesus, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”

However, Jesus answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’

 Then the devil took Jesus up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written:

‘He shall give His angels charge over you.’

And,

‘In their hands; they shall bear you up,
lest you dash your foot against a stone.’

Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’”

So when temptation comes, do as Jesus did. He uses the Word of God to turn back every sinful challenge the devil throws at Him. He knew the flesh by itself cannot endure temptation. Still temptation is sure but yielding is sin.

17 comments

    1. Thank you kindly for your comment, Loopyloo. You are one of my favorite bloggers, and I often take my cue from your work. You are a blessing and an inspiration for me.

      I pray that God will continue to bless and inspire you. Have a great weekend.

      Have a great weekend. God bless

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    1. Thanks you very much Tom, for your comment Your continued support of this blog is greatly appreciated. Your work inspires me a lot, and I thank God for people like you. I pray that God will continue to guide and direct you, as you continue to bless us through your blog.

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    1. I really appreciate your input, Lady D. May God continue to bless and keep.

      Thanks a million for stopping by as always.

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  6. The Word of God is a sure-fire weapon against the devil, which is one of the reasons we should memorise it.

    I also look for the “way of escape” as promised in 1 Corinthians 10:13.

    We serve an amazing God who has provided all we need to live victorious lives for Him – but we have to submit to His authority and use what He has supplied.

    What an amazing God!

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    1. I thank you very much my friend, for your comment [addendum]. Often we forget that we must submit to God’s authority in order to use the tools He provides properly.

      Thanks a lot for stopping by. God bless.

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  7. With “temptation” I have been tested and tried. Thank the Lord for the angels he has sent to lend wings to my feet. There are definitely times when giving in seems so easy. I consider the things I must do to avoid temptation as “exercise”. ( smile)

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    1. Thank you very much freshthoughtz, for your comment. Temptation is a cross we carry, and will carry to the end.

      God Bless!

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    1. Thank you very much for your comment, Scott. Your continual support of this blog is greatly appreciated. I pray God will continue to bless and inspire you.

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  9. Eve is an example of being beguiled/tempted by the enemy of our souls, and being drawn away of her own lust and enticed. Adam, on the other hand, is an example of willfully disobeying the commandment of the LORD. However, the wages are the same for both examples. Another great post , Noel! May God continue to bless you, abundantly.

    Paulette

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  10. Pingback: First Temptation of Jesus | Contemplative Mind

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