The Key to Resisting Temptation

THE WORD:  The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written:  ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’(Deut. 8:3)” 

“If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down [from the highest point of the temple]……Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’(Deut. 6:16)” 

“All this I will give you, if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written:  ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’(Deut. 6:13)”  Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

– Matthew 4:1-11

MY TRUTH:  We learn something very important from these scriptures….how to fend off temptation, and we simply do this with the WORD!  Wow who knew it was that simple!  Each time the devil came to Jesus he quoted scripture to resist temptation.  He immediately answered with the word.  This is what we must do….immediately answer our fleshly temptations and desires with the word.  That is why it is so important for us to read our bible so that we will have the right verse to respond to the devil with when he tempts us.  Key thing is WHEN!  If the devil tempted Jesus he will surely tempt us so we should not be surprised when the enemy comes against us.  The word very clearly states that the devil comes to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10) so we must be prepared.  Let’s be proactive instead of reactive.  This is a work in progress for me, but I encourage you to write down and/or memorize 5-10 scriptures that you can have readily available to respond to temptation with.  If you respond to your temptations with these scriptures and believe in your heart (that’s the key….you have to believe and have a little faith and be sincere about it or it won’t work) you will be able to resist any sinful temptation that comes your way.  Be encouraged and vigilant.  We must not be surprised when the devil attacks us; we have to be prepared, and the key to preparation is the WORD of God…the bible.