Resisting Temptation

“Temptation is when you have the desire to do something that is bad for you in some way. For example, you might feel tempted to do something you know is unhealthy for your body or that is against your personal values. When this happens, you can resist temptation by distracting yourself, thinking of the consequences, or using visualisation. To avoid temptation in the long-term, strengthen your willpower and get rid of your temptations.” So suggests the modern self-help approach to temptation.

However, what when we face in the words of St Paul ‘… what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do’ 

Like Paul, many Christians find themselves in a similar spiritual battle. We want to do what is right but struggle to overcome our rebellious, sinful nature. We fail, we falter, we do the very things we hate and know are wrong, and when we mess up, we can often grow weary, disheartened and even overwhelmed.

We ask ourselves:

- Why is following in the footsteps of Jesus so hard?
- Why do we do the things we know are wrong?
- Why do we continue to sin when we’re supposed to be redeemed, new creations in Christ Jesus?

Paul attempted to address these many questions, describing the battle between sin and righteousness and the all-important, life-changing power of God’s grace.

A mother told her son not to go swimming. However, when he came into the house his mother noticed that his hair and bathing suit were wet. "I told you not to go swimming," the boy’s mother scolded. "I couldn’t help it mom," he defended himself. "The water looked so good." "But why did you take your bathing suit with you?" "In case I was tempted."

Well that’s one way of dealing with temptation! However, Temptation usually comes in through a door that has deliberately been left open for it is perfectly true that is a sense we don’t need anyone to Lead us not into temptation. We can find the way ourselves.

A prayer

Lord, you overcame temptations. ... Please, Lord, give me the wisdom to walk away when I am tempted, and the clarity to see the way out that you will provide. Thank you, Lord, that you are a faithful deliverer and that I can count on your help in my time of need. Thank you for being here for me. Amen