by Barbara Latta
Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you (James 4:7 NKJV).
We are commanded to resist the devil. God gives us this instruction to protect us from our enemy. If he
gets a foothold in our mind, whatever we allow in is harder to uproot once we
have entertained the temptation.
Joseph is an example of fleeing from evil. When Pharoah’s
wife attempted to seduce him, Joseph ran. He didn’t stand around and debate his
thoughts. If he had, the temptation would have overcome him. He was a young, handsome
man and a beautiful woman desired him. He was alone and away from home. Who
would know?
God would.
Joseph did the right thing and he was honored by God later
on. He was elevated to the second in command of the nation of Egypt because he
obeyed God in that temptation and in other situations.
Temptation can attack in many forms, not just the usual
vices we think of as sin. Sin is anything that separates us from God. And the devil isn't prejudiced in who he attacks. He comes after us all.
Temptation begins in our minds. Thoughts can turn into actions and words when we are not diligent to recognize the battle.
When we rely on God's ammunition in His Word, we can resist temptation’s attacks through emotions and negative thoughts such as these:
Depression – Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are
you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him. The help of
my countenance and my God (Psalm 43:5 NKVJ).
Anger – Be angry and do not sin (Ephesians 4:26a).
Regret – Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended;
but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching
forward to those things which are ahead (Philippians 3:13)
Condemnation – There is therefore now no condemnation to
those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but
according to the Spirit (Romans 8:1).
Complaining – Do all things without complaining and
disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without
fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as
lights in the world (Philippians 2:14-15).
Self-pity – Therefore preparing your minds for action, and
being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to
you at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:13 ESV).
Envy or jealousy – A sound heart is life to the body, but
envy is rottenness to the bones (Proverbs 14:30). For where jealousy and
selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice (James
3:16 (ESV).
Ingratitude – In everything give thanks; for this is
the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thessalonians 5:18). (emphasis mine,
Paul is not saying to be thankful for all things but in all
things).
When we rely on scripture to resist temptation (as Jesus did
in the wilderness), we can resist the devil and his schemes. His plan is for our
destruction, but Jesus came that we might have life and have it more
abundantly. (John 10:10)
What other scriptures can you add to combat this list of negative emotions we
should resist? Join the conversation.
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