How can we avoid falling into temptation?
"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the
world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all
that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the
pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world [craving for physical
pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and
possessions]. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that
doeth the will of God abideth for ever." - 1 John 2:15-17
We must guard what we look at, listen to, and where we go.
The moment we recognize something as a temptation, we need to immediately turn
from it to prevent being consumed by it.
"But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his
own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin:
and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." - James 1:14-15
We must also guard our thoughts, quenching unforgiving,
judgmental, hateful, jealous, proud, angry, or lustful thoughts.
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil,
and he will flee from you." - James 4:7
"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is
common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above
that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that
ye may be able to bear it." - 1 Corinthians 10:13
When we turn to Jesus by repentance, become called by His
name by water baptism, and receive the gift of His Holy Ghost, we are born of
God. We receive the authority of Jesus name, and the power of His blood and
Spirit to overcome temptation.
"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized
every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye
shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." - Acts 2:38
"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world:
and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." - 1
John 5:4
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth
me." - Philippians 4:13
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