you can resist temptation
James • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh.
For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.
We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.
trials & Temptations
trials & Temptations
In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,
so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
hardship
hardship
Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,
and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,
and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.
In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,
so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him.
For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”
It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?
If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.
Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live?
For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.
For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?
As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,
nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
overcoming
overcoming
Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.
And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.
Practical instructions for resistance
Practical instructions for resistance
Proactive “pre-Battle “ Strategies -prep the mind and the environment before temptation strikes
Establish Boundaries Early: Resolve convictions before facing a difficult situation, as Daniel did when he "purposed in his heart" not to defile himself.
Remove Triggers: Practically remove the means of sin. Jesus used the metaphor of cutting off a hand or gouging out an eye to illustrate removing anything that causes you to stumble.
Renew the Mind: Immerse yourself in Scripture daily so you can recognize the "crafty" lies of the enemy, which often involve twisting God's Word.
Watch and Pray: Jesus instructed His disciples to "watch and pray" specifically to avoid entering into temptation, acknowledging that while the spirit is willing, the flesh is weak.
2. Reactive “In the Moment” tactics when directly confronted with a lure to sin, the Bible provides immediate action steps
Submit and Resist: Follow the two-step order in James 4:7: first, humble yourself before God's authority; second, actively resist the devil so he will flee.
Flee Immediately: For certain temptations, especially sexual immorality or greed, the instruction is to "flee" (run) rather than stay and argue. Joseph provides the ultimate example of this by physically running out of the room.
Quote Scripture: Counter specific lies with specific truth. Jesus defeated Satan in the wilderness by repeatedly responding with, "It is written...".
Look for the "Way Out": Rely on the promise of 1 Corinthians 10:13, which states God always provides an "escape hatch" or a way to endure without sinning.
3. Sustaining through community and Spirit Overcoming is often described as a collective effort rather than a solo struggle.
Accountability: Confess your struggles to others so they can pray for your healing and protection.
Run with the "Right People": Pursue righteousness "along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart," rather than trying to resist alone.
Walk by the Spirit: Continually yield to the Holy Spirit's guidance, which creates a natural barrier against fulfilling the desires of the flesh.
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
