You can overcome temptation

“Don’t…unwittingly give Satan an opening.”

2Co 2:11 TM

You will always be tempted in your weakest areas. So: (1) Prepare yourself. Otherwise you won’t be ready when it comes. Where does temptation originate? In your mind! Any defeat that manifests itself in your conduct was first a battle lost in your mind. That’s why Paul wrote, “Don’t…unwittingly give Satan an opening.” (2) Brace for impact. Ask God to help you detect Satan’s advances, and buckle your seat belt in preparation for what lies ahead. An ink-stained wall in Wartburg Castle, Germany, illustrates the point. Deep in prayer, Martin Luther suddenly became aware of the Enemy’s presence. The story goes that he picked up an inkpot and hurled it against the wall, aiming it at the Devil. Luther sensed the adversary’s advance and responded the best way he knew how. Sound extreme? Maybe, but the question is do you have that kind of spiritual sensitivity? (3) Submit to God, and then serve the Devil an eviction notice. If you don’t, he will defeat you. “Submit …to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (Jas 4:7 NAS). Satan wants you to do the opposite by resisting God and submitting to him. Don’t fall into his trap! If you’re battling temptation today, stand on this promise: “Our high priest is able to understand our weaknesses. He was tempted in every way that we are, but he did not sin. Let us, then, feel very sure that we can come before God’s throne where there is grace. There we can receive mercy and grace to help us when we need it” (Heb 4:15-16 NCV). God will give you the grace needed to overcome temptation.

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