Page Suggestions: Bible Facts
Bible Warnings About Temptation
Writer: Pastor William Mark Bristow | bibleresources.org/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 (all desire for anything wrong) 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."
Temptation comes when we are drawn away by our own lusts (James 1:14
But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.James 1 verse 14). Satan can also tempt as we notice in Luke Chapter 4. There is something we must realize. As long as you and I are in this physical body we are going to be tempted. Realize there is no sin in being tempted. Realize you and I do not have to YIELD to temptation in any way. Remember sin is a choice.
(Let’s be honest. I’m a human being and I’ve sinned before. I know how this thing works.) I have a choice. If I’m tempted to do something wrong, I can choose to do right and God will empower me to keep that choice, or I can choose the wrong and Satan will eventually enslave me again.
If Satan tempts, we are told to
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7
Submission to God is an attitude of the heart shown by obedience to His Word. Resist means to refuse to cooperate with the devil. If the temptation comes out of our own lust the scripture instructs us,
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. Galatians 5:16
To walk in the Spirit means to live in prayer and in the Word of God. Really this is not much different than walking with a friend. You become friends with God through His Son, Jesus Christ. God loved us so much He provided for victory. He provided for victory even if we have a failure and yield to temptation.
My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 1 John 2:1
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
You and I need not live in defeat. The Apostle Paul said, "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31What shall we then say to these things? If God [be] for us, who [can be] against us?Romans 8 verse 31).
Mark Bristow and his wife, Lisa pastor a church in Monahans, Texas called Grace Fellowship. He is an anointed servant of God who is blessed with the Gifts of the Holy Spirit operating in his ministry. He is also multi-talented in a music ministry of leading in praise and worship vocally as well as on the organ and piano. Mark Bristow can be contacted via email, grace@ultravision.net.