Overcoming Temptation by Surrendering to the Holy Spirit’s Control

A father told his son not to go swimming. Later that day, the boy did. He insisted he did not mean to go swimming. The father asked him why he brought his swimming suit.

His son said he brought it just in case he was tempted. What happens when we make provision for temptation?

You cannot blame temptation on God, your circumstances, heredity, or the way your parents raised you. God allows trials in your life, but not with evil intent. He is not delighted when you stumble.

James saw an internal source of temptation. He described it as being “dragged away” and “enticed” by your evil desires (James 1:14). Both are hunting and fishing terms.

About 40 years ago, I was fishing in a creek near my home. Many fish hid under a fallen tree in one creek pool.

I dangled my lure at the outside edge of the tree. I slowly moved it up and down.

A fish moved close to investigate my lure, drawn away from safety. After looking it over for several seconds, it attacked it. I had successfully dragged it away from safety, enticed it, and hooked it.

That is how your evil desires hook you. Sunday school teachers, pastors, missionaries, and church leaders are not exempt.

Sin does not occur until you surrender to your evil desires and grab whatever the bait is. There is a way to escape (1 Corinthians 10:13). Stay under your “fallen tree.”

In James 1:15, we see that yielding to temptation produces death. That is the opposite of the blessed state James 1:12 describes as the crown of life.

Death can co-exist with life. “But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives” (1 Timothy 5:6 NIV). Through sin, you forfeit the abundant life Jesus came to give.

By yielding to temptation, you seek joy and fulfillment from something other than God. Evil desires paint the windows of your mind black.

You cannot think clearly. Instead of real life, peace, and joy, there is death and slavery to that which cannot satisfy you.

What is the remedy? The fish in that Pennsylvania creek first approached and then grabbed the source of temptation.

Do not get close to the temptation to get a better view. Do not approach it and then try to resist. Its attraction grows as you get closer.

Self-control is the result of the Holy Spirit’s control. If you consistently yield to temptation, it is not willpower you lack but the Spirit’s power.

God gives only good and perfect gifts (James 1:16-18). He does not send temptations your way. As the Father of the heavenly lights, He gives dependably.

He remains forever the giver of good gifts. His best gift is His own life, which comes to you at spiritual birth. Do not trade it for sin’s fleeting and unsatisfying pleasure. What is your takeaway? See additional free spiritual growth resources for Christians.   #freediscipleshipresources #freeevangelismresources #freechristianleadershipresources

God has empowered me to write His Power for Your Weakness—260 Steps Toward Spiritual Strength. It’s a free, evangelistic, devotional, and discipleship e-book. Pastors have used it in Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia to lead 6,671 people to Christ and teach the basics of Christianity to 15,636 people. I invite you to explore and use it in your setting. 

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