WAGING THE BATTLE AGAINST TEMPTATION

“Accept God’s salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17 NCV).

Temptation is always around for believer and non-believer alike. The enemy really revs up the temptation machine when we decide to make a stand for our Lord and step out into the fray.

God has given us promises in His Word that we can claim in the battle in handling temptation. 1 Corinthians 10: 13 says “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 you can endure it.” NIV

We won’t be tempted beyond our limits, and what we are tempted with He provides the way for us to endure it. How many times have we/I said “I could not help myself…I just couldn’t resist…..I had no choice but to give in.” So when I say that, if you look at the verse I just quoted…then I am calling God a liar!!!! God says he offers escape from faced temptations. It may be tough and embarrassing but God has promised a way out each and every time so of this we are sure!!!

Satan is constantly fighting for our minds. That is the battlefield; our minds! God gives us an idea? IT’S INSPIRATION. Devil gives us an idea? IT’S TEMPTATION. We choose inspiration or temptation.

When we realize it is temptation – we have to replace that with the truth that is found in the Word!

The Word says to resist the Devil. How? Preparation is key: Ephesians 6: 17 says “Accept God’s salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” NCV

2 KEY INGREDIENTS IN HANDLING TEMPTATION

1 SALVATION is the first ingredient. Accept salvation as our helmet.

Helmet protects our head and mind. The battlefield! Before we can say no

to the Devil, we have to have said YES to Jesus Christ. We first need His power of His salvation

2 GOD’S WORD is the second ingredient. The Sword of the spirit is the neutralizer of temptation. Of all the Full Armor of God, it is the one offensive weapon. All of the others are defensive and protective in nature. The Word defends us as well. We need to place the Word in our mind to protect and defend and offend at any time. Know scripture.

Scripture is our weapon and ammo in the fight. We counter the Devil with the Word of God. Remember how Jesus fought the temptations of the devil. He began each defense with “it is written…. The devil fears truth. He does not fear what our opinion is.

THE SWORD OF GOD IS GOD’S TRUTH!!

“Christ, because He was the only Man who never yielded to temptation, is the only Man who knows to the full what temptation means.” C.S. Lewis