Thanks so much for your question. It is a great question that is very practical. First off, I want you to know that ALL Christians deal with temptation...even the apostle Paul who wrote:
Romans 7:18-20 (New International Version)
18I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
Now if the apostle Paul struggled with temptation and sin, then it's definitely normal for us to do the same.
Secondly, there's no EASY way to answer this question. Temptation is something that is a part of being a Christian. While we are alive on this earth, we, as Christians, will always battle our sinful nature. It would be so easy if there was a pill that we could take that would make it all go away...but there isn't. The fact of the matter is that we must learn how to battle. If it's not one temptation, then it will most likely be another. But the more you fight, the more victories you'll experience.
But how do we fight? The answer is that we must call upon our Savior to help us. Paul, who we quoted earlier, also wrote:
1 Corinthians 10:12-14 (New International Version)
12So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! 13No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. 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 stand up under it.
Clearly, temptation is normal for Christians to deal with...but we must know that God provides the strength to overcome temptation. It is not God who tempts us because He is Light and in Him there is no darkness at all.
Let's take a quick look at how Jesus Himself handled temptation from Satan:
Matthew 4:1-11 (New International Version)
Matthew 4
The Temptation of Jesus
1Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. 2After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread."
4Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"
5Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6"If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written:
" 'He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'"
7Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"
8Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9"All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me."
10Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'"
11Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
Notice: Satan likes to TWIST Scripture and use it as a weapon. But what did Christ do? He used Scripture to interpret Scripture. Now, I'm in no way trying to say that you're in the same situation, but the weapon is the same. SCRIPTURE.
The Bible tells us that Scripture is our Sword of the Spirit. A "sword" is used for battle. We, as Christians, are at battle with the Spiritual realm.
Ephesians 6:11-13 (New International Version)
11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For 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. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
We stand firm by remembering that Christ is more powerful than the temptation that we are facing.
Hebrews 4:14-15 (New International Version)
14Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.
So, in short, we can and MUST call upon Jesus during our temptations. For HIS power is the only power that will enable us to say NO to sin and YES to Him. The weapon that HE gives us is HIS word...Scripture.
Side Note: Temptation is definitely specific to the sin that you're facing. It's hard to encourage you with certain Scriptures that may be helpful to you if I'm unsure of what you're dealing with, however....I'd encourage you to start reading Scripture that deals with your particular temptation on a regular basis. If you're willing to tell me more, then I'm happy to help you identify some areas of the "sword" of the Spirit that may be appropriate.
Please feel free to respond to this post. Thanks for your question...and remember...I love you in God's way.
God Bless,
Derrick Harris
