Charles Specht

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how to overcome temptation

Today is Sunday and this morning at church I’ll be preaching on “How to Overcome Temptation.”

All people, both Christians and non-Christians alike, are tempted regularly, daily, and too often multiple times per hour.

Temptations are all around us, but God has given us a way of escape from all temptation.

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Here are 5 ways on How to Overcome Temptation

1.  Realize that you are being tempted. Too often we fail at overcoming temptation because we aren’t aware enough to understand that we’re even being tempted in the given moment. Stay clear-headed to your surroundings and, specifically, be careful with what you’re putting before your eyes!

2.  Realize that God expects you to exercise self-control, rather than sinful abandon. My favorite Bible verse says this:

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7). (Click here to tweet this Bible Verse)

3.  Often the best way to overcome temptation is simply to flee. That’s correct…RUN! Look, there are some temptations–such as temptations of the flesh–that we’re too weak to overcome at times. The best way to be victorious in those moment is to simply walk away, run, flee, or turn off the TV.

4.  Remember that Jesus overcame every temptation during his earthly existence, so you can overcome yours as well. If you could keep track of the times during any given day when you were victorious over temptation, rather than succumbing to it, I think you’d be amazed at how successful you were. God’s Holy Spirit lives and abides in the bodies/hearts/minds of believers, and God is more than a match for sin. Submit to the Lord’s leading and you’ll experience victory over sin more often.

5.  Get involved in an accountability group of like-minded people. I suggest no more than 3 or 4 people per accountability group, and each group should be all male or all female. Accountability partners offer encouragement, guidance, suggestions, and a listening ear when needed. Being actively involved in an accountability group could be the very best thing you’ll ever do for yourself and your walk with God.

May God richly bless you for his glory!

QUESTION: In the comments sections below, tell us any other ways you know about how to overcome temptation.

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Comments

  2. Elsabe says

    Great points Charles – memorising scriptures for when we are tempted also help SO whilst we RUN / flee from the specific temptation, we can think of the scripture we have memorised.

  4. Bryce Woodason says

    Thank you Charles for this article., it was of great help and encouragement. Temptation is for everyone, and it is inevitable. Something that has helped me when tempted, is to just get on my knees and truly cry out to God. There is something powerful about submitting, and genuinely praying out loud to God.

  7. Scott says

    I can’t really find anyone that actually truly believes in victory over sin. I know it doesn’t happen overnight, but I wish most Christians would believe this is the goal and it is possible. If it wasn’t the case what is Hebrews 10: 16, 2 Corinthians 3: 18 and Ezekiel 36: 25-27 plus more all about??? Thanks for the point about knowing when you are tempted. I think that will help, because I often condemn myself, for just being too sin prone.