How to Resist Temptation's Attacks

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:

Flipping the Switch on the Darkness of Condemnation

 by Barbara Latta

Darkness is the catalyst that propels us toward light.

Several years ago my husband and I toured some caverns in the state of Virginia. The

Without light nothing can be seen.

stalactites and stalagmites were impressive and the constant dripping of water told the story of how these rock columns were formed. When all the tourists were in place, the park ranger told everyone to be perfectly still. He turned out the light and the darkness that pervaded the space was as thick as a solid brick wall. Nothing could be seen, not even my hand one inch from my face. 

The thought shot through my mind that without light we couldn’t get out of this hole in the ground. After a few seconds of total darkness panic had almost set in. Soon the guide clicked on multi-colored lights that had been strategically placed inside the cave and the moist cavern walls reflected the light like a rainbow. Sighs of relief were heard through the group as the lights came on. This darkness had been physically felt.