The Best Way to Resist Temptation
I am a Christian, I believe, but am always faced with strong temptation. Is there any way to overcome such temptation?
God never promised to remove temptation from us, for even Christ was subject to it. The Bible says that "He was tested in all things like as we, yet without sin." There is really no good reason why you should seek to escape, for such times of testing have beneficial effects. "Tribulation worketh patience and patience experience and experience hope, and hope maketh not ashamed." There is a sense of achievement and assurance that results from victory over temptation that cannot come to us otherwise. Temptation really shows what people really are. It does not make us Christian or un-Christian. It does make the Christian stronger and cause him to discover resources of power. It also makes evident that false profession and hypocrisy of the non-Christian. You can benefit from what might be tragedy if you will only discover that in just such a time of temptation, Christ can become more real to you than ever, and His salvation will become more meaningful.
I want to do right but I am too weak to overcome temptation. What hope is there for me?
You are exactly where all of the rest of us are. None of us is strong enough to overcome temptations, regardless of how good our motives may be. That is the reason God sent His Son into the world — to take away the guilt and penalty of our sins and to give us the strength to overcome temptation. May I suggest that your trouble is probably too much looking inside at self and not enough looking outward and upward to Christ who wants to help you. The Bible says: "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way of escape, that ye may be able to endure it." When temptations come let me suggest that you ask God for strength and also to show you the way He has prepared for your escape. One other word of counsel: be very sure that you do not deliberately place yourself in a position to be tempted. All of us are not subjected to the same weaknesses and temptations. To one, alcohol may be the temptation; to another it may be impure thoughts and acts; to another greed and covetousness; to another criticism and an unloving attitude. Regardless of what it may be, be sure that Satan will tempt you at your weak point, not the strong. Our Lord has given us an example of how to overcome the devil's temptations. When He was tempted in the wilderness He defeated Satan every time by the use of the Bible. The Psalmist tells us how to do this when he says: "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee."
I am a Christian and read my Bible and pray. Just recently I have begun to have very evil and wicked thoughts. I can't stop them from entering my mind. What can I do?
Your experience is not surprising, nor abnormal. It is Satan's purpose to steal the seed of truth from your heart by sending distracting thoughts. It should encourage you to know that the devil considers you a good enough Christian to use as a target.
The difference between a Christian and a non-Christian is: though they both may have good and evil thoughts, Christ gives his followers strength to select the right rather than the wrong. You see a man going to prayer meeting with a Bible under his arm. That man was undoubtedly tempted to stay at home, go bowling, or to some other activity. But, as these diverse thoughts came to his mind, he made the right selection, and headed for the church. Another man walks through the night to a bar. It no doubt occurred to him that he had best stay home with his family. But, he yielded to a negative thought, and gave in to his lower appetites.
It is not the thoughts you have, but the decision you make about them that counts. "He will not suffer us to be tempted above that we are able to bear," says the Bible.
The little girl said, "When the Devil knocks at my door I just send Jesus to the door."
For many years I lived a very wicked life. Since I decided for Christ last summer things have been different. But I still can't get over the craving for alcohol. Can you help me?
The same Lord who changed the direction of your life last summer can give you victory over this terrible appetite. But I would caution you first: don't think that the temptation means you are not truly converted. Such a habit has its physical as well as its spiritual effects. Alcoholism is a kind of illness, but it was caused by your sinful desires. Now you must rely upon Christ to give you more power than the power of the habit. You are feeling the effects of the years of sin that preceded your decision.
Second, I would urge you to give your attention to the spiritual food you need. You can get this only through a systematic study of the Bible. Sermons will help, but they do not take the place of personal study of God's Word. Peter said, "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word that ye may grow thereby" (I Peter 2:2).
Third, pray frequently. When the tempter comes, go to God in prayer. While you are in prayer, the devil has no power, but he will flee from you. Tell God all about your trouble and ask Him for deliverance.
Some time ago I read one of your answers concerning evil thoughts. I, too, am troubled with evil thoughts that are actually blasphemous. I am greatly troubled over this because the more I try to dismiss them from my mind, the more they trouble me. In fact, the problem grows worse as I try to overcome it. I am a Christian and wish to please God. Is there any answer to this problem?
It is known that we cannot always control the thoughts we have. In fact, you will find that your desperate attempt to dismiss them from your mind is exactly the thing that keeps them active. It is just like most spiritual struggles. They are not overcome by our own self will and determination. The best resolution will not overcome the enemy. Only when we admit our helplessness, and call upon God to deliver us, will we find deliverance. As long as you try by your own strength, you will fail, but when you draw upon the resources of His strength, you will find relief.
You are worried about the wickedness of these thoughts. As long as you disapprove them, you are well, but when the time comes that you approve them and affirm them with your will, then you are certainly in a low spiritual condition. Paul once said: "Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
I ride in a car pool of which my boss is also a member. On an increasing number of occasions he has made improper advances to me but has never done so in the office. If I am not careful I may lose my job. What should a Christian do?
A Christian should also be a lady, and you should insist that you be treated as such. It is my opinion that you will not lose your job if you insist that your boss respect you. But, it would be far better to lose your position than to submit to something which is suggestive or degrading. Our moral standards have slipped so much that many people take laxness of behavior as a matter of course. There is nothing more needed than for Christian people to raise up the standard of purity and moral principles which is a vital part of the Christian faith. Fear of losing a job has been the downfall of more than one person. Others have faced the issue and in most cases they are respected for their stand. I know of a young woman who rejected the advances of a man and who in so doing led him to Christ. Men may try to take advantage of you but you earn their respect by standing for those principles the Bible so clearly affirms and which you in your own heart know to be right.
