Three Things to Use When Battling Temptation

It was a financially unstable year. My husband was in an unstable job situation, and I didn’t make much money as a writer. We asked God for his provision as we squeaked by each week with not much money left at the end of the month. Although I could pay all our bills, one bill was left to be paid: our tithe. Sacrificing another couple hundred dollars would strain our budget and put our ability to pay our bills for next month at risk. As I struggled with whether I would pay the tithe, tempting thoughts swept through my mind:

No one will know if I don’t give my tithe this month.

I can give half and give the other half next month. 

God doesn’t want us to be financially strapped for cash. 

Everything in me wanted to justify not tithing. God loves a cheerful giver, and I certainly was displeased watching our bank account dwindle.

But the voice of the Holy Spirit gently whispered to my soul:

Offer me your money, and I will bless you. 

I grabbed that week’s offering envelope, shoved the cash inside, sealed it with tape, and dropped it in the sanctuary box that following Sunday. I assumed our budget would be over for the month, and we would get so behind on bills that we would need to start canceling cable and phone to keep up. But one day, we opened our mailbox to find a card with some gift cards in it. These would help us get through with groceries and extra gas when needed.

I wish I could say that’s the only instance where I have been tempted not to tithe. Sometimes, I resist the temptation; sometimes, I don’t. It was easy to justify when I didn’t have anyone keeping me accountable. But I knew deep down in my heart that tithing was the right thing to do. Even in the weeks when it was a sacrifice, God called me to give Him my first fruits so that the Gospel could be furthered, God could be glorified, and our church could continue its mission. But it’s not always easy to do the right thing, even when I know it. 

We all battle temptation. Even Jesus dealt with temptation when Satan tempted Him in the desert during His 40-day fast. Satan pulled out all his schemes to get Jesus to cave. But Jesus used three things to battle temptation, and we have these same resources at our fingertips.

The Word of God

When Satan asked Him to make the stones become bread, Jesus answered not with a sarcastic comment but with the word hidden in his heart: “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Deuteronomy 8:3, NIV) When we feel alone, and Satan tempts us to go our way, we must use God’s words hidden in our hearts. 

The more we read and get familiar with it, the more it gets ingrained in our minds and treasured in our hearts.

This is why memorizing Scripture and studying the word are equally crucial to reading it. The more we read and get familiar with it, the more it gets ingrained in our minds and treasured in our hearts. Recite verses that help you resist temptation the next time you are tempted. 

Prayer

Jesus had such a connection with His Father that when tempted with food to satiate his hunger or when challenged to prove His identity as the Son of God, Jesus relied on where His identity was found: in the truth of who His Father was and His relationship with Him. 

Jesus knew the truth and didn’t have to prove himself to anyone. However, Scripture tells us throughout his ministry that Jesus went alone to lonely places and prayed. Jesus chose to start his day in prayer with His Father. He was able to minister effectively through that intimate connection. If we want to be used by God, we must be connected to Him.

We must not only speak to God but also listen to His voice. The more we stay in tune with the Spirit and obey what God tells us, the louder and clearer God’s voice will become.

Community

Jesus never did His life alone. He surrounded himself with twelve people in whom He invested His life. He used His time to teach them and solidify their identity as His people. 

He knew that when God called Him to be crucified and resurrected, His apostles might be tempted by Satan and succumb to temptation. But if they were surrounded by other people who could help them win the battle when life got tough, and persecution loomed, he knew they’d have a chance of accomplishing the work of the Kingdom.

We also need people around us. Surround yourself with people you know will give you wise counsel, pray for you, and help you during life’s challenging circumstances. We are never alone, as God always gives us brothers and sisters in Christ that we can lean on during life’s difficulties.

In this life, we will be tempted. But it’s not the temptation that’s a sin; what we do with it matters. Anchor yourself to the word of God, keep an intimate connection with the Father, and surround yourself with like-minded people. These are the three best resources you have when you battle temptation. 

Is there an area where you are succumbing to temptation? Ask God to help break that bond of sin in your life.