It’s common knowledge, even among unbelievers, that if you’re battling temptation, your first defense is to remove the trigger.
An alcoholic should stay away from bars. An emotional eater shouldn’t keep a stash of chocolate. Someone who struggles with porn needs safeguards in place on his device (or to stop using said device).
But how do you resist temptation if your trigger can’t be removed?
What if your trigger is being alone in your bedroom? Unless you’re one of the lucky ones who has to share your space (and everything else) with a sibling or two, this could be a Catch-22. What if your trigger is the computer you use for work or school? Or the stash of steamy romance novels someone else in your house owns? What if being in the shower is your trigger? No one will appreciate it if you quit bathing.
When you are able, you most certainly should escape temptation by removing the personal triggers that send you tumbling down the icky slope of sin. The reality, however, is there are always triggers embeded in your life. Most sins start out of convenience.
But that doesn’t mean you have to admit defeat.
Hi, I’m Lauren Thell, author of Christian YA fiction and blogger for teens who are ready to exceed the world’s expectations.
In This Article
THE WEAPON OF CHOICE IN THE BATTLE AGAINST TEMPTATION
Take a look at the famous Armor of God passage in Ephesians 6:
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” (v. 10-13)
The passage goes on to list the different components of armor—belt, breastplate, shield, helmet—but for today’s discussion, I want to focus on one key piece. (Check out Armor of God 101 for an in-depth look at all the other pieces.)
“. . . the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (v. 17)
The sword of the Spirit is your Bible.
Is that a letdown? Maybe with all this build-up, you were expecting me to reveal something new that you’d never heard of before. I get it. But you already have the most critical piece of battle gear at your disposal.
A piece that, in some situations, might be all you have. You just need to know how to use it.
WHEN YOU CAN’T FLEE, FIGHT
You can’t always walk away from the situation. You can’t always avoid that which causes you to fall. But you can ALWAYS carry the word of God with you, if not physically, then in your mind. In my next post, I help you create an effective battle plan for the next time temptation strikes.
First, let’s get a few facts straight.
God’s Word is POWERFUL
The first step is in realizing how powerful scripture really is.
“Is not my word like fire,” declares the Lord, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?”
Jeremiah 23:29
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12
If you’ve tried fighting temptation with scripture and failed, it’s because you question the effectiveness of God’s word.
If you’ve tried fighting temptation with scripture and failed, it’s because you question the effectiveness of God’s word. You may have given up before you even started.
This won’t work. I’ve tried it before.
Stop handling it like it’s a three-inch Swiss Army knife and start looking at it for the razor-sharp, double-edged, high-carbon steel sword that it is!
God Promises it Will Work
When God says something will happen, it happens. When he promises his word will not fail you, it won’t.
All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.
Psalm 119:160
God is not human, that he should lie . . . Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?
Numbers 23:19
Those are some powerful words. Hold him to them!
More Bible Verses About the Power of Scripture
You don’t have to have all the answers.
but, hey, why not?
Bring me your questions about faith, life, God, the Bible… and I’ll help you find the answers.
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.
2 Timothy 3:16
As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
Isaiah 55:10-11
Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve you. If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.
Psalm 119:91-91
Resist Temptation: The Next Step
If you’re ready to make this work, jump to the next post: Fight When You Can’t Flee: A Battle Plan For Temptation!