“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. He gives us power over temptation. How does he help us? Through the reality that all believers are connected to him like a body to a head. Remember that you are united to Christ and he provides power to become like him. If you keep your life focused on him, his power will flow into you and you will acquire the same character he has.
Thus, the same power to resist temptation that Jesus had, he gives to us when we abide in him. And we can resist more than just sensual temptations. Temptation can include temptation to pride instead of humility, or 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. We can focus the eyes of our hearts on an image of Jesus in our minds and ask for his strength, and receive it through faith.
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. We can overcome temptation. Even more, we can find a Christian friend and ask for help and Jesus will send his strength through your friend into our hearts. This 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. He became what we were so we could become what he is. In this way we come closer to full Christformation and our union of love with God.
What temptation do you have right now? Focus your heart and mind on Jesus. Offer him your weakness. Does this help? When temptation is present can you refocus your heart on Jesus?
