As Pastor Rick Warren concludes Chapter 26 of The Purpose Driven Life, he offers 3 specific steps to take in overcoming temptation.
1. Refuse to be intimidated. Rick notes that temptation is a normal part of being human and living in a fallen world. While we can’t keep the Devil from offering his half-truths and lies, we can choose not to entertain such thoughts or dwell on them. Martin Luther put it this way: “You cannot keep birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair.”
2. Recognize your pattern of temptation and be prepared for it. We need to identify the tempting circumstances that are unique to our weaknesses- Satan cerainly knows them. Identifying our typical patterns of temptation prepares us to avoid those situations as much as possible. Proverbs 4:26-27 advises us: “Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; keep your foot from evil.”
3. Request God’s help. The author states that when temptation strikes we need to cry out immediately- there’s no time for a lengthy conversation with God at that moment. We shouldn’t feel embarrassed to ask God for help or refuse His help because we’re convinced we know what’s best for us!
Tomorrow’s blog: “Defeating Temptation- Part 1”
