Anyone that knows me will tell you that, besides the disabilities I have as a result of my military service, I rarely get sick. This time of the year—during the middle of winter—is one of the two times a year I either will catch a sinus infection or the flu. As Michelle can tell you, I do not make a good patient; I am grouchy, whiny, want to be left alone, and crave only coffee. If you are like me, I can usually tell when I am about to come down with some sort of bug. As soon as I feel the tickle in my sinus cavities, I begin drinking gallons of orange juice, taking both daytime and nighttime cold medications, and hosing down the house in disinfectant in anticipation of the cold.
I began thinking that if I do all of these things—the taking of cold medications, drinking juice, and everything else on just the idea of getting the cold, why don’t we take the same precautions when it comes to dealing with sin in our lives? Sure, there are no pills, no special spray, or ointment that alleviates our fleshly nature from wanting to sin. Even the apostle Paul had to deal with the realities of the flesh drawn to the lusts and desires of the world; it is for this very reason Paul wrote For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me (Romans 7:14-20). Make no mistake about what Paul is warning every Christian about—there is a real battle going on within the hearts of every born-again believer. As long as you live within this body of clay, you’ll fight the fight. You’ll feel the pull of the flesh; sometimes you’ll emerge victorious by the leading of the Holy Spirit. Other times, you’ll end up face first in the dirt at the feet of the Lord Jesus Christ asking for forgiveness.
Just as we prepare to face the cold and flu season we can also prepare ourselves to face our temptations that so readily play to the appetite of our flesh. There are some things we can do to prepare ourselves in facing our temptations:
- Study the Bible: This is where learning to resist the temptations of the flesh begins. David wrote, Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee (Psalms 119:11). As a child of God, it should be our desire to want to seek God’s counsel in all that we do. When we read the Bible, it begins to manifest itself in our hearts; it will give us strength to resist the temptations to sin. Even the Lord Jesus Christ quoted scripture when he was tempted by Satan. Memorize a verse or two and when you feel the temptations of sin approaching, recite the verses and find comfort and strength enough to resist what Satan has to offer.
- Pray for ourselves and others: Within the book of James there are two scriptures that should cause every Christian to want a better and stronger prayer life: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much (James 5:15-16). Add to this verse the understanding of the apostle Paul, Pray without ceasing (I Thessalonians 5:17) and Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God (Philippians 4:6), it becomes clear we should always be near to our Heavenly Father through prayer. It is through prayer that we can call upon His grace and mercy to sustain us during times of temptation.
- Avoid the things that tempt us to sin: Solomon, heralded as the wisest of all kings, wrote, Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away (Proverbs 4:14-15) and Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil (Proverbs 4:27). This is some sound advice for anyone who wants to resist the temptation to sin. When we find ourselves being tempted or committing sin, we have often put ourselves within the situation that led us to being tempted. Avoid the places and people who offer us easy access to the things that tempt us to sin. Avoid being placed in situations where the temptation to sin will override our ability to resist. In other words, be aware of our surroundings.
- Make an effort to be at church or with other Christians: Again, turning to the writings of the apostle Paul, Christians are encouraged to spend time with others of the faith: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching (Hebrews 10:25). Even the Lord Jesus Christ encourages us to seek the companionship of other Christians: For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them (Matthew 18:20). Quite simply, there is safety in numbers. When we are regularly attending church it can strengthen our resolve to resist the temptations of sin. And when we are not in church, we can still seek His assurances and strength by associating ourselves with other Christians. We are less likely to cave to our fleshly weaknesses when we are in the presence of other Christians.
- Sing a song to the Lord: There’s something about singing a song simply to praise and bring honor to God that elevates even the most tempted soul. David wrote, While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being (Psalms 146:2) and Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy (Psalms 59:17). It does not matter if you sing a hymn known by millions or a song you are making up on the spot—but let your heart sing to the goodness of the Lord Jesus Christ! When we are singing praises to God I honestly believe that the Lord Jesus Christ bends a little to hear the song from our hearts. The apostle Paul understood this and even encouraged us to offer such praise to Him: By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name (Hebrews 13:15). Want to make devils tremble? When you’re tempted to sin, let Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me, ring from your lips and heart.
- Know our adversary and don’t surrender: The apostle Peter warns us to Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour (I Peter 5:8). James urges us to Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you (James 4:7). We must be aware of the things that appeal to our flesh and realize that the devil knows these weaknesses we have too. He knows when we are at our weakest and knows just how much he needs to push. The Lord Jesus Christ promises us that if we will resist this pressure, then Satan will flee from us—and the reason is not because of anything we are doing, but because we are allowing Christ to work through us by submitting to His perfect will. Satan has no power as long as we resist temptation.
Knowing how to prepare to face temptations actually can serve to strengthen our walk with the Lord Jesus Christ. It is important that each day we make a conscious effort to keep our walk with the Lord Jesus Christ as close as we possibly can. Only then can we enjoy the perfect peace and joy that Christ can bring.
[Because of current copyright laws in the United States, and even though I am the author of this devotional, it is required that I indicate that this was originally published in the January 2014 edition of Gospel Light Baptist Church newsletter, available at http://www.glbcky.com.]
