Overcoming Temptation

Lest Satan should take advantage of us.
2 Corinthians 2:11

Here are 3 effective strategies to help you overcome temptation:

(1) Expect it. Unless you expect temptation you won't prepare for it.Temptation begins in your mind. Any defeat that shows up in your actions was first a battle lost in your will. So Paul writes: "We don't want to unwittingly give Satan an opening" ( 2 Corinthians 2:11 ).

(2) Detect it. Ask God to help you detect Satan's advances and brace yourself for the impact. An ink-stained wall in Wartburg Castle in Germany illustrates the point. Martin Luther, in the midst of prayer,suddenly detected the enemy's presence. The story goes that he picked up an ink pot and hurled it against the wall as he aimed it at the devil.Luther sensed the adversary's sinister advance and responded the best way he knew how. Sound extreme? Maybe, but do you have that kind of spiritual sensitivity?

(3) Reject it. Attempt to play games with the devil and he'll take you down. Listen: "Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you" ( James 4:7 ). Satan would have you do the reverse; resist God and submit to him - that's a trap!
Don't be clever; reject it. If you're battling temptation today, listen: "Our high priest is able to understand our weaknesses ...He was tempted in every way that weare, 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" ( Hebrews 4:15-16 ).