OVERCOMING TEMPTATION

OVERCOMING TEMPTATION

Dr. Ron Riley

The temptations that you teen agers face today are very real, very strong. Many are yielding to them and, as a consequence, wrecking and ruining their lives. Satan’s main objective in his attack on you is the destruction of your life and testimony for Jesus Christ.

One of the problems that a teenager faces in overcoming temptation is recognizing where the attack originates. Many of you attempt to blame it on someone else, including the Lord. Look at James 1:13: “let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man.”

Temptations do not come from the lord; many times they come from your own sinful flesh. James 1:14 reads, “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.” The troubles come when Christians yield to the lust that burns within the flesh. “In this flesh dwelleth no good thing.”

We must understand that even though we Christians possess a new nature, we still possess the old nature of sin: Ephesians 4:22-25″That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness:’

Another problem that young people face in overcoming temptation is recognizing the results that sin produces. James 1:15 says “Then when lust hath conceived it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death:
When sin is finished with you, after it takes your purity, affect your mind, and taints your character, it brings forth death. If you could just see the end result and all that happens in between, there would be more victory in your daily living.

There is a way of escape from all temptations.

Through Prayer. Matthew 26:41 instructs us to “watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation:’ Ask the Lord for help when the temptation arises instead of thinking that in your flesh there is victory.
Perception, another key to victory The Scriptures instruct us to “watch and pray”. Christians must be very sensitive and aware of the weakness of their own flesh and Satan’s daily attack.

Involvement in good and positive things. Keeping busy is important; too much idle time will open the door wide for yielding to temptation. Be active in your school work, which will help form your future. Stick to the task and get the job done. Be active in your church and youth group. And let good, godly people help you. By all means become involved in sharing the Gospel with others. This will not only build your spiritual life but also enable you to keep your mind off your problems and difficulties.

Your love for Christ. This will unlock the door to victory over temptation. James 1:12: “Blessed be the man that endureth temptation; for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him:’

The best safeguard one can put into life is loving the Lord and developing a daily relationship with Him. It will make a difference in everything you do when your love is set on the Lord Jesus. Psalm 91:14: “Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him”.

Courtesy: Collegiate Fisherman

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