James 1:14 says, "Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away." Every one of us experiences temptation. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, "The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure." God promises us that when we are tempted, He will provide us with an escape route. But we need to understand that avoiding temptation is the key to overcoming temptation. For example, if we have a problem with alcohol, we need to stay away from any place that serves alcohol. It requires a great amount of self-control. If we want to stop smoking, we need to stay away from places where we can easily have access to cigarettes or tobacco.
Temptation is all around us because we live in a sinful world that always advertises self-gratification. Whatever pleases our eyes, whatever pleases our flesh, and whatever gives us pride in life appeals to us. When David saw Bathsheba bathing, he could have turned around and walked away, but he was immediately overcome with temptation and fell into it. There was another man in the Old Testament who faced temptation, but he was able to run away from it. His name was Joseph. Joseph was a slave at Potiphar's household, and he was between 17 and 19 when he was sold to slavery by his brothers (Genesis 39). The Bible says that God was with him, meaning that he was walking with God daily. When Potiphar's wife was attracted to Joseph physically and sexually, she began to pursue Joseph to sleep with her without her husband's knowledge. Joseph could have used this opportunity to take advantage of Potiphar's wife, but he didn't give in because he knew that it was a sin to God. Since Joseph walked closely to God, he was able to say no to the temptation.
We must walk with God daily to overcome the temptations we face. Galatians 5:16 says, "So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves." Our daily devotion, our daily reading of the Word of God, our daily prayer, and our daily listening to Christian music and messages and programs will help us fill our minds with the things of God and help us overcome temptations in our lives.
Ask yourself these questions for application: (Think through carefully and meditate on the questions while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you). Can I avoid temptations in my life? What are the things that I can do to fill my mind with God to help me overcome temptations? What does God promise me when I am being tempted?
Write down all the worries you face today and lift them up to God.
Prayer:
Father in Heaven, would you please help me overcome temptations in my life? Please help me fill my mind with your Word and Promises so that my mind can be renewed to do what is right before you. Please help me to exercise self-control so that I may not give into temptations. In your name, Lord Jesus, I pray. Amen.