“For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” Heb 2:18 (ESV) Since Jesus felt the suffering that comes with resisting temptation he is able to help us too. How does he help us? Through the reality that all believers are connected to him like a body to a head. Thus, the same power to resist temptation that Jesus had, he gives to us when we abide in him.
Sensual temptations are most common, but we also have temptations to pride instead of humility, or the temptation to neglect devotional time, or giving in to any of the deeper weaknesses inside us. When we feel the trouble that comes with temptation, when we feel the pull of our destructive desires, when we want to follow God but feel weak, then we can stop ourselves and put our hearts in front of Jesus. He knows what it is like to struggle with temptation. If we spend a few minutes in prayer and tell him we are weak and put our lives into his hands then he will give us strength. Then, if we keep our hearts focused on Jesus we can keep resisting that temptation until it doesn’t trouble us anymore. Hebrews 12:1 describes this:
Let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.
Hebrews 12:1-2 (NLT)
This power is one of the great blessings of the incarnation. The son of God became human so we could have access to power to resist temptation and throw off everything that tears down our lives. In this way we come closer to full Christformation and our union of love with God.
One more encouragement: find a Christian friend and ask for help and Jesus will send his strength through your friend into your heart.
Where do you need strength to resist temptation? What is your strategy? Focus on an image of Jesus in your mind; how much does that help you?
Very encouraging for my life because I’m struggling with many challenges and everyday I turn to God. I’m pastor from South Sudan but also I m studying at UCU in Uganda and have family working as fulltime lecturer at the university of The Episcopal University. So sometimes I found my self powerless in these duties. But this reflection today encouraged me so much. Keep on encouraging us in our spiritual needs.
If you can send to me how to be fully submission to God and 8 characteristics of Natural church growth by Christian Swartz