Taming Temptation: Nothing New Under the “Son!”
Resist

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:6-11

Key Verse: 1 Peter 5:9

Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

The last word I want to study from the scripture we have studied the last three days is “resist.”  It may be the number one key to defeating temptation.  It deals with the key to the devil’s schemes: Keep us believing we can’t win.  I am sure you have had these thoughts at times: “Why try, I’m just going to fail eventually!”

Addictions and habits are not easily defeated.  It takes all our positive energy to change courses in our lives along these lines.  If we go into this battle with any doubt that we can win, we’ll probably fail.  We must face our demons with the solid faith that God’s Word is true and the devil has no real hold on us.  If I resist, I will send the devil running.  The Apostle James affirmed this truth when he wrote that if we resist the devil, he will flee!  (James 4:7).

What will the act of resisting look like for you?  Well, some of you will need to resist by joining the Bible based 12 step program, Celebrate Recovery!  For you, resisting will include faithful work on breaking addictions in your life! You can do it!  For others, your resisting will be more in the line of avoiding old friends or familiar places that cause you to weaken your stand against temptation.  Another form of resisting is quickly turning your eyes away from some allurement that confronts you!  If you resist, the devil will flee; keep believing.

 “Father, thank you for filling me with power—your power over the evil one!  I will walk in victory today, trusting your promises to me.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”