The Big Idea: Today's post pulls together the ideas and verses from the Bible that can help us fight all kinds of temptation.
Ten ways Scripture can help fight temptation
God's Word is powerful! No matter what temptation you face, you can use verses from the Bible to help you combat any situation with words of strength.1. Pray to the Lord and ask Him for help (Proverbs 30:7-9, Matthew 26:41)
O God, I beg two favors from you; let me have them before I die. First, help me never to tell a lie. Second, give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs. For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?” And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God’s holy name. Proverbs 30:7-9
Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!” Matthew 26:41
2. Run from sin! Stay away! Resist! (1 Corinthians 6:19, I Thessalonians 4:3, James 4:7)
Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself. 1 Corinthians 6:19
God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. I Thessalonians 4:3
So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7
3. Don't let it control you and leave it to God (Ps 4:4, Eph 4:26, Romans 12:9)
Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent. Psalm 4:4
And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.”Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry. Ephesians 4:26
Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Romans 12:9
4. Use God's weapons against false reasoning and arguments (2 Corinthians 10:4)
We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 2 Corinthians 10:4
5. Don't get taken up with empty philosophies, nonsense (Colossians 2:8)
Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. Colossians 2:8
6. Avoid foolish arguments and foolish discussion (I Timothy 6:20, 2 Timothy 2:16, I Corinthians 2:14, Eph 5:4)
Timothy, guard what God has entrusted to you. Avoid godless, foolish discussions with those who oppose you with their so-called knowledge. I Timothy 6:20
Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior. 2 Timothy 2:16
But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means. I Corinthians 2:14
Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. Ephesians 5:4
7. Ask God to search your thought life (Psalms 139:1-3, Matthew 15:19)
O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. Psalm 139:1-3
For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander. Matthew 15:19
8. Ask God to transform your thought life. (Romans 12:2. Ephesians 4:23, Philippians 4:8)
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2
Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Ephesians 4:23
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:8
9. Resist the powers of darkness (Ephesians 6:13)
Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Ephesians 6:13
Humble yourself before God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:7
10. Put on the Armor of God (Ephesians 6:13)
Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Ephesians 6:13
May the Lord bless you in whatever situation you find yourself in today. Lean on His Word for every temptation.
Feedback is welcomed. I want this blog to be useful to you. The intent is to teach you to use the Bible to live victoriously.
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