We are tempted every day to stray from God and go our own way. The battle we face against temptation must be fought with the strength and power of Christ. Remember that temptation is not a sin. Our Lord Jesus Christ was tempted by the Devil in Matthew 4. This is a good portion of Scripture to read when facing temptation. Every time Christ was tempted, he quoted Scripture. Psalm 119:11 says, “Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.” Temptation can be frustrating, as it is desirable. Remember when Adam and Eve were tempted in the Garden of Eden the serpent tempted them with something that was desirable. Temptation is always something that appeals to the flesh and will damage the soul.

In Romans 7 we read all about Paul’s battle against the world, his own flesh, and the evil one. We see this battle displayed in verses 14-19, “For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good. So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want.”

We ought to adopt the same attitude as Paul. His desire was to remain faithful to God whatever the cost may be. There is hope for us in temptation. 1 Corinthians 10:13 teaches us that temptation is common to man, but God is faithful, and will not allow us to be tempted to the point of despair. God will also provide a way of escape, so we can overcome temptations. On this side of Heaven temptation and sin remain an ever-present reality, but Christ is always present to help us.

When we succumb to temptation, we must confess it to God. 1 John 1: 9-10 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.” We lose our peace in the Lord when we sin and dwell in sin. Therefore, confession and faithfulness are important to the Christian soul. We can have victory over sin because Christ has defeated the enemy of our soul. We can have peace because we serve the Prince of Peace. Turn to Matthew 6:13, Acts 20:19, 1 Peter 1:6, and Revelation 3:10. Read these passages in light of the topic at hand. Psalm 95:7-8 says, “For He is our God, And we are the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand. Today, if you would hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, As in the day of Massah in the wilderness.”