The Power To Overcome Temptation
Monday March 14, 2016
Anyone who has tried to break free from the harmful use of a substance or an addictive habit does not need a dictionary to help them understand temptation. Too many times we've felt the overwhelming urge to "pick up" even though we know that giving into that urge in a moment of weakness will result in damaging consequences. Sometimes we convince ourselves that something or someone we’ve been yearning for will make us happy. We believe our problems will all go away if we just had this thing or this person. We long to feel contented and we lie to ourselves that this substance or person will make that possible.
How quickly the pleasure that we sought fades, the painful consequences return, and the self-condemnation rises up in our thoughts. We find ourselves dejectedly asking once again, "How can I win over temptation and turn my life around?" God has a way forward for us. God promises to help us and give us victory as we turn our will and our lives over to His care.
Because he himself [Jesus] suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (Hebrews 2:18, Romans 8:37 NIV)
Jesus was tempted by the devil three times in the desert and many other times on the way to the cross. Jesus did not give in to the devil’s schemes to meet his own agonizing needs or to gain approval and popularity through dysfunctional relationships which appeared might bring security. Even though Jesus faced many difficult moments and challenges, He never doubted God’s care for Him or God’s power to work out His sovereign plan for His life.
Jesus has compassion for us in our weaknesses. Jesus came to earth, took on human flesh, and entered into our suffering and temptation so He could identify with us. Because He won over temptation and sin, we can have the same victory. Jesus wants us to surrender our will and our lives over to His care. The first step in victory over temptation is receiving Jesus Christ into our hearts as Saviour and Lord. He then fills us with the Holy Spirit who gives us the power to face and conquer temptation.
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. (Hebrews 4:15 NIV)
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