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Answer
No one is exempt from temptation. As Christians, we are provided with a way out. The apostle Paul instructed believers not to fear when confronted with temptation because God will always offer assistance and an escape route for those who seek it: “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to mankind. God is faithful, and 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 endure it” «No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. 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 endure it.», (1 Corinthians 10:13, ESV).
The Scriptures affirm that God is faithful (Deuteronomy 7:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:24; Hebrews 10:23; Revelation 1:5). Just as Yahweh provided an escape for the enslaved Israelites, He will always show us a way to freedom. Our heavenly Father is not distant or indifferent, leaving us to struggle through life on our own. He is right beside us in the battle. The Lord loves us and desires our success in the fight against sin: “The one who calls you is faithful, and He will do it” «The one who calls you is faithful, and He will do it.», (1 Thessalonians 5:24, NLT).
For believers, Jesus Christ is God’s rescue plan. He understands our weaknesses and temptations: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin” «For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.», (Hebrews 4:15, NIV).
Ay, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:15-16). Our primary avenue of rescue is to run to Jesus for help (1 John 2:1;1 John 4:4).
Often, we confuse temptation with sin, but being tempted is not in itself a sin. We sin when we give in to temptation. That is why Jesus taught us to pray, “Don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one” «And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. », (Matthew 6:13, NLT).
In most instances, the best course of action is to flee. The account of Joseph in Potiphar’s house is a perfect example of how God provides the way of escape from temptation (Genesis 39:1-23). Joseph refused to give in to Potiphar’s wife’s repeated sexual enticements. He rightly understood that such sin was an offense against God (verse 9). When the temptress tried to force Joseph into her bed, he took advantage of God’s exit route and ran from the house, leaving his cloak in her hand (verse 12). Joseph gives us a literal demonstration of Paul’s admonishments to “flee from sexual immorality” «Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. », (1 Corinthians 6:18) and “stay away from every kind of evil” «Abstain from all appearance of evil. », (1 Thessalonians 5:22).
We can avoid temptation by keeping a distance from it. Proverbs 4:14–15 advises, “Stay away from the path of the wicked; do not walk on the way of evil people. Avoid it, do not travel on it. Turn away from it, and pass by” (CSB). If we desire to curb our craving for sweets, we should steer clear of the candy store.
To stay far from evil and temptation, we should seek refuge in God and His Word. Paul encouraged Timothy to “flee from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a life devoted to God, along with faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you” (1 Timothy 6:11-12; NLT). James advised us to humble ourselves before God, “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” «Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. », (James 4:7, NLT). Jesus resisted the devil’s temptations with the truth of God’s Word, and we can do the same «But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. », (Matthew 4:4,10) «Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. », (Matthew 4:4,10).
God also offers a way to escape from temptation through vigilant prayer. Jesus instructed Peter, James, and John to “watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” «Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. », (1 Peter 5:8-9). Peter’s final words included the instruction to “be on guard; then you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked individuals and lose your secure footing. Instead, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:17-18;NLT).
Sometimes we need to come alongside other Christians in an accountability setting for support and prayer. Paul taught that if someone is “caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted” «Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. », (Galatians 6:1, CSB). As brothers and sisters in Christ, we are stronger together as we bear one another’s burdens «And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. », (Ecclesiastes 4:12).
Whenever we face temptation, we must remember that we are not alone «And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed. », (Deuteronomy 31:8). The Lord
God is present with us, and His Spirit is active within us, empowering us to put to death “the flesh with its passions and desires” (Galatians 5:22-24). God will never forsake us or leave us to rely on our own abilities. We should seek Him and fellow believers for the path of deliverance that God has assured to give.
