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Temptation
Christian teens face temptation every
day, and not everyone is prepared to overcome those temptations. At some point
most people are faced with the desire to submit to sin, whether it is
gluttony, sex, gossip, cheating, and more. Sometimes those temptations are
minor, so they are pretty easy to overcome, but other times the desire seems
too great. Remember, though, that temptation is not the sin, even Jesus was
tempted. We only sin when we give into the temptation. Here are some things
you can do to help you avoid and overcome temptations:
1. Identify Temptations
Everyone is a little different, so it is important to know what temptations
are difficult for you to overcome. Some people may find that gossip is more
alluring than sex. Others may find that.
2. Pray About the Temptation
Most Christian teens know the temptations that are difficult to overcome. For
instance, if you find gossip a great temptation then pray every night for the
strength to overcome the gossip. Ask God to provide you with the strength to
walk away from the gossip and to know the difference between finding
information and gossiping.
3. Avoid the Temptation
When we know what temptations are being the most difficult, we can prepare
ourselves for those situations. In some cases we can even avoid the temptation
itself. For instance, if premarital sex is a temptation, then you can avoid
being in situations where you might find yourself giving into that desire. If
you are prone to cheating, then you may want to position yourself during a
test so that you cannot see the paper of the person next to you.
5 Steps to Avoid Temptation:
Temptation is something we all face as Christians, no matter how long
we have been following Christ. There are a few practical things, however, that
we can do to grow stronger and smarter in our struggle against sin. You can
learn how to avoid temptation by practicing these five steps.
Here's How:
1. Recognize your tendency toward sin.
James 1:14 explains that we are tempted when we become enticed by our own
natural desires. The first step toward avoiding temptation, is recognizing
our human tendency to be tempted by our own fleshly desires. Temptation is a
given, so don't be surprised by it. Rather, expect to be tempted. Be
prepared for it.
2. Run away from the temptation.
I love the New Living Translation of 1 Corinthians 10:13. It
says, "But remember that the temptations that come
into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is
faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't
stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so
that you will not give in to it."
When you are face to face with temptation, look for the way out that God has
promised and then run as fast as you can.
3. Resist with the Word of truth.
Hebrews 4:12 says God's Word is living and active. Did you know you can
carry a weapon that will make your thoughts obey Jesus Christ? If you don't
believe me, read 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 One of these weapons is the Word of
God.
Though it can be helpful to read God's Word when you're being tempted,
sometimes that's not practical. Even better is to practice reading the Word
daily, so that eventually you have so much of it inside, you are ready
whenever temptation comes. If you are reading through the Bible regularly,
you will have the full counsel of God at your disposal.
4. Refocus with praise.
How often have you been tempted to sin when your heart and mind were
fully concentrated on worship to the Lord? Praising God takes your focus off
of yourself and puts it on God. You may not be strong enough to resist
temptation on your own, but as you focus on God, he will inhabit your
praise. He will give you the strength to resist and walk away from the
temptation. May I suggest Psalm 147 as a good place to start.
5. Repent quickly when you fail.
In several places the Bible tells us the best way to resist temptation
is to flee from it (1 Corinthians 6:18; 1 Corinthians 10:14; 1 Timothy
6:11; 2 Timothy 2:22). Yet still we all fail from time to time. We fail
to flee. Notice I didn't say, repent quickly if you fail. Having a more
realistic view—knowing that at times you will fail—should help you to repent
quickly when you do. It is not the end of the world when you fail, but it is
very dangerous to persist in your sin. Going back to James 1, verse 15
explains that sin "when it is full-grown, gives birth to death."
Try this prayer to fight temptation: If you're struggling with temptation in
your life, take some encouragement from these verses and pray the prayer
below, asking the Lord to help you deal with the temptations you face each
day.
"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is
faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when
you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up
under it."
1 Corinthians 10:13
“But remember that the temptations that come into
your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful.
He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up
against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you
will not give in to it.”
1 Corinthians 10:13
Dear Lord,
You know the temptations that I am facing today. But your Word promises
that I will not be tempted beyond what I can bear. I ask for your strength
to stand up under the temptation whenever I encounter it. Your Word also
tells me you will provide a way out of the temptation. Please, Lord, give me
the wisdom to walk away when I am tempted, and the clarity to see the way
out that you will provide. Thank you, God, that you are a faithful deliverer
and that I can count on your help in my time of need.
Amen.
4. Use Your Bible for Inspiration
The Bible is there to offer advice and guidance to Christian teens, so why not
use it? Scripture verses like 1 Corinthians 10:13,
"You are tempted in the same way that everyone else is
tempted. But God can be trusted not to let you be tempted too much, and he
will show you how to escape from your temptation", can help inspire
you in moments of temptation. Try to look up what the Bible says on your areas
of temptation for inspiration and guidance.
Bible Reading Plans
One of the most important essentials in the daily life of a Christian is
spending time reading God’s Word. The Bible says in Psalm 119:105,
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my
path.” However, many Christians don’t know where to get
started or how to go about this seemingly daunting undertaking. Bible reading
plans are designed to help you go about this task in a focused and organized
way. There are many Bible reading plans to choose from such as: Read Through
the Bible in One Year Plans; Chronological Sequence Plans; and Old Testament,
New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs Plans. Try one that seems to fit your
interests and before you know it you’ll be hooked. Some days you may find you
don’t understand a thing you’ve read, but be encouraged to keep on reading.
Day by day obedience and discipline will bring its reward as God’s Word comes
alive to you.
5. Use the Buddy System
Do you have a friend or leader that you can trust to guide you in facing
your temptations? Sometimes it helps to have someone else you can talk to
about your issues or even brainstorm ways you can avoid temptation. You may
even ask to meet regularly with your friend to hold you accountable.
6. Use Positive Language
What does positive language have to do with avoiding temptation? It
actually has more to do with overcoming temptation. You need to believe God
can help you overcome the desire to sin in order to actually overcome it.
Avoid saying things like, "It's too hard," or "I'll never be able to do this."
Remember, God can move mountains. Try changing how you approach the situation
and say, "God can help me overcome this," or "It's not too hard for God."
7. Give Yourself Alternatives
In 1 Corinthians 10:13, the Bible states that God can show you how to
escape from your temptation. Allow yourself to see that escape. If you know
your temptations, know how you can overcome. Give yourself alternatives. For
instance, if you are tempted to lie to protect another person's feelings, try
considering other ways to word the truth so it doesn't sound so harsh. If
people around you are getting into drugs, try making new friends. Alternatives
aren't always easy, but they can be the path God creates for you to avoid and
overcome temptation.
8. It's Not the End of the World
While avoiding temptation makes life a lot easier, it can be discouraging
when we do give into that sin. We all make mistakes. That is why God offers us
forgiveness. While you should not sin knowing that you can be forgiven, you
should know that God's grace is available. So add 1 John 1:8-9,
"If we say that we have not sinned, we are fooling
ourselves, and the truth isn't in our hearts. But if we confess our sins to
God, he can always be trusted to forgive us and take our sins away,"
to that list so you know that God will always be there ready to catch you when
you fall.
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