Topical Study, Resisting Temptation: Resisting Temptation

Now that we have looked at the Common Causes of Temptation AND how we might go about Avoiding Temptation we are going to take a closer look at exactly why and how we should  resist temptations.


The initial overview of this topical study can be found HERE.

Part I of the Common Sources of Temptation  can be found HERE. 

Part II of the Common Sources of Temptation can be found HERE. 

Part III of the Common Sources of Temptation can be found HERE. 

Part IV of the Common Sources of Temptation can be found HERE.  

Part V of the Common Sources of Temptation can be found HERE. 

Part I of Avoiding Temptation can be found HERE. 

Part II of Avoiding Temptation can be found HERE.  
 

Part III of Avoiding Temptation can be found HERE.

Parts IV and V of Avoiding Temptation can be found HERE.

Parts VI, VII and VIII of Avoiding Temptation can be found HERE.

You can hover your pointer over (most) any verse reference to read the corresponding verse(s).  (Scriptural cross-references are THE most important resource!)

Why We Must Resist Temptation

Mat 4:1-11

• Initial Observations  --  We are going to look closer at this section of Scripture at our conclusion of this topical study but it is important to take note a couple of things:  

1.  Jesus (who IS God incarnate) still relied on the Word of the Father to fight the battle for Him.  Jesus quoted Scripture as His defense against temptation!! 
2. Jesus really knows the Scriptures!  We can't fully utilize what we don't know!  (see all of Ps 119  )
3. Jesus tells Satan to leave!  James 4:7  tells us to resist the devil and he will flee from us!  But we need to resist him with the Word of God and the armor of God.  ( Eph 6:10-18 )

Heb 12:3-4  

• Initial Observations  --  There is no way around it!  When we can't avoid it (for whatever reasons) we MUST resist sin.  And lest we grow weary with the struggle we should remember just HOW MUCH Jesus endured so that we could have the opportunity to resist sin and to be forgiven those sins we have and do commit!  As tough as my struggle against sin has been, it is nothing compared to what Jesus went through for me!  (FOR ALL OF US!)  But think about that for a minute:  Jesus endured extreme torture, pain, humiliation and ultimately death so we could be forgiven!  And then He rose again on the third day so that we could have the chance to be presented to the Father as clean!  If Jesus went through all of that just for me (US!) then how can I not continue the struggle against my worse temptations??  I have to continue the struggle because if I stand firm and continue to fight the good fight, then the victory has been assured!  Not through me or my efforts but through Jesus! 
• Cross-references  --  Mt 10:24  Gal 6:9  Rev 2:3  Heb 12:2  1Sa 12:24  !!  2Ti 2:7  2Ti 2:8  Pr 24:10  1Co 15:58  2Th 3:13  Php 2:8  1Co 10:13  !!  2Ti 4:6-7 

Eph 6:10-18

• Initial Observations  --  It is important to notice that Paul is telling us exactly what to "put on" so that we may stand firm against the devil!   And take special note of the first thing Paul tells us to do:  "....be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might."  We are NEVER to resist the devil (or temptation) on our own!   We are always to call on God to enter the fight for us!  Whether through prayer, His Word, or both!  And faith!  Which leads us to:

James 4:7-8 

• Initial Observation  --  Yet another section of Scripture that will be given a closer examination:  James tells us point blank to submit to God!  James tells us point blank to resist the devil and he will flee from us.  And most importantly we are to draw close to God!  Mt 4:1-11 Eph 6:10-18 and James 4:7-8 are a complete course in how to resist the devil and fight temptation!
• Another thing to notice is that we are never told to FIGHT the devil.  We are told to resist and call on God to do the fighting!
• The Wycliffe Bible Commentary:  Puts in nicely by stating:  "Christian determination triggers divine counter force."

1Pe 5:8-9

• Initial Observations  --  Having seen this verse earlier in our study, we know that Peter is warning us that the devil (and temptation) are always just around the corner.  We cannot get lazy or complacent!!  And then Peter gives us the simple words:  "But resist him, firm in your faith..."  So simple!  And also a command!  When avoidance is not possible (and sometimes it ain't!)  We MUST resist!
• Cross-references  --  Eph 6:13-14  James 4:7  Lk 4:3-12  Eph 4:27 

 Thoughts And Application

• The commands found in the Bible are clear!  We must resist temptation.  We won't always be able to avoid it.  So when push comes to shove we must resist!  BUT when we resist, we need to rely on God's strength and His Word, not our own strength!  We will explore this subject in our next post.

Bibliography

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