5 Ways to Help Overcome Temptation
There it was, right in front of me. I had just had a conversation about how it wasn’t good for me and I was going to turn from it, yet here I was contemplating.
I debated whether to go for it. I knew it wasn’t good for me. I knew it would have harmful consequences. I knew the satisfaction would only be temporary. But yet it still was knocking on the door, enticing me. I could feel the flesh grappling with the spirit – I knew I should probably turn it down, but the flesh was loud.
Knowing it would be harmful, I still made a decision to step into it. I even saw a scripture as I was contemplating:
1 Corinthians 10:13 – “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
It didn’t seem like it would do too much damage this one time, I thought. Until there’s a next temptation, and then you slowly give in each time. Then all of a sudden you aren’t even thinking about it and it starts knocking, enticing you and now the temptation of it is controlling you – not the other way around.
I lost when I just wanted to look at it..not fully step into it but just see it. Game over.
Sometimes God calls us to lay things down that seem unfair because other people are doing it, so why can’t we? We have to just trust He knows what’s best.
Sometimes it’s been a while and we don’t remember how bad something was – this makes me think of why God had the bitter herbs and spices as a part of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, as a remembrance of the bitterness they experienced as slaves in Egypt and to remember how God delivered them from this bondage.
Exodus 1:13 – “So they ruthlessly made the people of Israel work as slaves and made their lives bitter with hard service, in mortar and brick, and in all kinds of work in the field. In all their work they ruthlessly made them work as slaves.”
We think we have to ‘remind ourselves’ of why something isn’t good for us by doing it again, but knowing the hold it used to have, it could easily pull you back in. Or we forget the hold it had and how it wasn’t good for us and start to think, maybe it wasn’t that bad.
So how do we make sure we don’t forget or allow rose colored glasses to pull us back to people, places, or things that He pulled us away from?
Below are 5 ways to help you in your battle against temptation:
1. Journaling
- When I give into a temptation and then experience the negative consequences of it, I make sure to write it down. Why was I tempted, how did it make me feel, how did I feel after, etc. And in times when it tries to tempt me again or it starts to not look as bad as I thought, I can see this collection of journal entries to remind myself – hey, you don’t want to do this, look at what happened each time you gave in. Then truth overshadows the feelings.
2. Memorial Nights
- Last year on Good Friday, I started a tradition that I want to continue each year. A dinner where I gathered my family and we each brought items that we considered “memorial items” that reminded us of God’s faithfulness and what He’s brought us through (Examples: a picture, a bracelet, a book, a T-shirt, etc. anything that was meaningful to us). The purpose was to remember all the amazing things God has done in our lives and share stories of things He has delivered us from, healed us from, taught us, how we received salvation, etc. Sharing our testimonies is not just to encourage others, but so God is continuously remembered in our lives and constantly revered.
Exodus 13:8-10 – “You shall tell your son on that day, ‘It is because of what the Lord did for me when I came out of Egypt.’ And it shall be to you as a sign on your hand and as a memorial between your eyes, that the law of the Lord may be in your mouth. For with a strong hand the Lord has brought you out of Egypt. You shall therefore keep this statute at its appointed time from year to year.”
3. Accountability Partners
- It’s always helpful to have a trusted friend that you can go to whether it’s when the temptation hits and to pray for/with you to overcome and talk you off the ledge. Or even after, if you gave into a temptation and may be filled with shame. It’s helpful to have someone you can open up to and not have to hide and keep what you did in the dark (which is what the enemy wants).
James 5:16 – “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.”
4. Set Boundaries Ahead of Time
I read the below in an article:
- “When temptation strikes, it’s too late to ask for preventative advice. When desire is fully activated, people don’t want advice – they want gratification. The best time to learn the dangers and foolishness of going after forbidden desires is long before the temptation arrives.”
- “Resistance is more effective when you have decided ahead of time what you must avoid. Then, when temptation strikes, you will be less likely to linger around to see what happens. Prepare for temptation by deciding ahead of time how you will act when you face it.”
5. Go to the Lord
When tempted, go to God – whether through scripture or prayer.
Scripture: Speak the scripture, read it, keep it on sticky notes around the house or around the things that may cause temptation and continue to place the word in your heart. As I mentioned earlier, I saw the scripture and read it and yet still willfully chose to sin.
Acknowledge your weakness: It’s okay to realize that you aren’t strong enough or good enough or able to overcome this temptation on your own. This took me so long to learn. Seeing my weakness initially led me to more shame and frustration. But I’m learning to humbly admit that I am weak and I can’t do it on my own and I need God’s help. This is true dependence. I take a step towards Him and He will show up. Sometimes He may not lift the full burden we feel and sometimes He does.
Deliverance: Deliverance can be instant and immediate, but other times He may take us through a journey to teach us something, relate to others, or for reasons we just may not know or understand. But by knowing His heart and character, I have learned to submit to the process of deliverance of certain sin in my life and it has grown a deeper love and dependence in me towards God.
2 Corinthians 12:9 – “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
I can never judge anyone for giving in to their sin. We each have our vices – but sin is still sin. I was humbled to see how someone could see something that is harmful to them and know the consequences, and still step into it. I had just done it. And yet I love God. The thing I stepped into in itself wasn’t a sin, but the hold it can have and choosing to be led by the flesh rather than the Spirit is a problem.
Stay strong my friends, and remember, you are not alone in this. Admit your weakness, ask for help, and remember God’s faithfulness in your life. Remember that the battle is won, you have victory over this through Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:57)!