"Resisting Temptation"

Brasspen · Jan 13, 2026

"Resisting Temptation", I seen that written for a really small church sign next to the road where I live.
So It made me want to ask that question here on CC.
How do we resist temptation, because this is a topic I have not learned yet.

What I am looking for is some fundamental skills on this subject.

ChristRoseFromTheDead · Jan 13, 2026

First thing you have to do is recognize it

Brasspen · Jan 13, 2026

I do know that if it's tempting, then this is not from God.

Just_A__Follower · Jan 13, 2026

@ChristRoseFromTheDead is definitely right on having to first recognize it. That can be the hardest part sometimes. Sometimes we don’t recognize it until it’s too late.

One thing we can do is look at Jesus in the wilderness. What did He do? He fought back with scripture. He fought back with truth. Because what is temptation but a lie. When you sense a temptation there is usually a piece of scripture that can bring truth to the situation. Repeat the scripture in your head or even shout it out loud. Fight the lie with the truth.

Also go to the Lord immediately. Pray to Him and ask Him for strength to resist, it’s important that you don’t try to fight the temptation on your own.

Another great way is to call a friend especially if it’s a temptation that hits you when you’re alone, whether it be sexual, alcohol, gambling, anger, etc. As God said in Genesis 2:18, it is not good for man to be alone. Have someone you can call even if it’s just to distract you.

And one other way is just to simply stay busy. The saying “idle hands are a devils workshop” wouldn’t be a saying if it weren’t true. If you have idle time then read a book, study the bible, call a friend, write in a journal, go for a run, etc.

ThroughTheStorm · Jan 14, 2026

Resisting temptation can look like different things in different situations; however, it will always look like submitting your thoughts unto Jesus Christ as mentioned in 2 Corinthians 10:4-5

"For although we do live in the world, we do not wage war in a worldly way; 4 because the weapons we use to wage war are not worldly. On the contrary, they have God’s power for demolishing strongholds. We demolish arguments 5 and every arrogance that raises itself up against the knowledge of God; we take every thought captive and make it obey the Messiah."

Before the action occurs, the idea is formed in the head. So if you're being tempted to cuss someone out, resisting temptation may look like praying for the Holy Spirit to empower you to hold back your tongue, and respectfully/politely enduring the conversation or excusing yourself from it

If lust is the temptation, resisting may look like reverting your eyes or completely avoiding an area that leads to stumbling, all while keeping your mind locked on the standard God holds us to

The key to resisting temptation is
1.) Understanding that temptation can not be overcome through man's strength alone. God's help is needed

2.) Understanding all temptation can be overcome through God, for He will not put you in a situation where sin is the only way out

1 Corinthians 10:12-13 "Therefore, let anyone who thinks he is standing up be careful not to fall! 13 No temptation has seized you beyond what people normally experience, and God can be trusted not to allow you to be tempted beyond what you can bear. On the contrary, along with the temptation he will also provide the way out, so that you will be able to endure"

In all, when tempted, pray! Pray for God to show you how to endure. Pray for the one who is doing the tempting, that they may submit themselves to Christ. Be in consistent prayer with the Lord and meditate on His word so you can fight the enemies lies with Truth as did Jesus in the wilderness

SoontoBehold · Jan 14, 2026

There are other good articles like this one from desiringgod.org, but here's a start and hopefully this helps:
https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/you-will-regret-giving-in

tablet123 · Jan 14, 2026

You can resist temptation by not sinning.

But you cannot resist temptation by trying to stop it from happening for you will be tempted as long as you are in the flesh.

Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

1Co 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

If you hate sin, and do not want sin, and allow the Spirit to lead you to be Christlike you will not fulfil the lusts of the flesh.

And God will give you an escape from the temptation.

We know what sin is then it is easy to recognize temptation.

For temptation is enticing us to do that sin.

timf · Jan 14, 2026

Rom_13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

Rom_8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

The death of the flesh may be accomplished through starvation. If we choose not to feed the flesh, but walk after the Spirit, it should have increasingly less attraction for us.

Basically the flesh represents the selfishness of our old nature and when we put on the new man we are walking in the selfless love of Christ.

Here is a short web booklet touching on this subject;

https://christianpioneer.com/cphone ebooks/wbts/wbts main.htm

homwardbound · Jan 14, 2026

Resisting temptation comes from having to be perfect under Law.
To hone out the Ten Commands to do them all perfectly. Yet no one understanding this but Jesus the one Son for us all, where the risen Life begins new life in each person that decides to stand in belief to God it is finished for them to be new in God's Spirit and Truth too. The gift, John 4:23-24
Can anyone be perfect under Law? Any flesh nature able to please God perfectly? Anyone?

Then Son came here to earth known in English as Jesus. He went and did perfectly whatever his Father told him to do. Did he do that perfectly or not? Each is left with this decision to decide, once do believe God, then new begins in each one personally first.
Well I think/ know he did, why? He is risen from his willing one time death, Risen by Father as proof, seen as risen by more than 500 witnesses. Son is the way to do it all, only dependent on Father. Jesus, who remained dependent on Father throughout his earth life. Now, Our turn to return to 100% dependent on Father's lead, as was before Adam the first ate from that tree. So, Son as risen returns us to Father, as being 100% dependent on Father through his done work first as perfect for us all, it is finished John 19:30, Col 1:21-22, 23
Whoever decides to believe God in risen Son for them will see this exchanged life happen in them over time in not ever giving up, God does not give up on any of us. Has not from day one in the unbelief of Adam and Eve, where it all began with evil trying to be God over God.
Now since no one else can do perfect Law, Son did it once for all, first. reconciled us all to himself 2 Cor 5:17-20 Wow, woe is me Isaiah 6:1-7

homwardbound · Jan 14, 2026

To further see:
Put self under Law and see how well you do? Many will do and yet not in truth and be are like 1 Cor 13:1-3 and still not in, they trying to win it, when by Son it its won once for us all to rest in thanksgiving and praise to God Father, seeing Psalm 103:12 completed by Son first for us all to rest in, Hebrews 4:9-13
Under Law is finished for new life to begin in each person in belief to it is finished to do new in Father's Spirit and Truth, John 4:23-24
Decide, thank you and rest in trust to God Father and Son as won for you to be new too, thank you

Karlon · Jan 14, 2026

here it is, plane, truthful & strait in steps":
1. become a born again Christian
2. learn & live 1st Corinthians 10:13- "there hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man. but God is faithful who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able but will with the temptation, also make a way to escape that you are able to bear it". other verses to learn- 2nd Corinthians 5:17, James 1: 2,3,4, 12 & 4:7, Matthew 5:48, Romans 6:23 & Psalm 55:22,
3. establish an edifying format in your life: Admit, Identify, Recognize & Correct. A-I-R-C.
4. train yourself to recognize sin IMMEDIATELY. when we hear a funny joke, we laugh quickly, when we know its fun time, nothing holds us back, we dive right in. so train yourself to respond IMMEDIATELY to temptation & cast it out IMMEDIATELY in the name of Jesus Christ. make up, for yourself, some rhymes that will train you. here's 1: "devil, i don't doubt you have no clout so get out"!
5. immediately, think of your favorite thoughts & subjects after casting out the devil to get your mind off of the temptation.
6. know that you are developing a new condition response to casting the devil out. little by little, you will strengthen yourself & reach the point God knows we all can. blessings to you.

homwardbound · Jan 14, 2026

That was well spoken growing up into maturity, the need to eat meat over drinking too much milk at first. actually second birth given us to see new and eat meat in maturity, taking, no credit to self in accomplishing it, to me at least thanks Father and Son as Won for us all.
God Father and Son get all the credit otherwise it is not truth from God wholly from the view I have been given by God in thankfulness. It is done for us by Son to rest in thankfulness.
I see Adam and Eve the first. had it all in that garden 100% dependent on God's sovereignty. Just not aware yet of good and evil yet until!
Then an enemy of God came into the garden to tempt Adam and Eve. used eve to defect first, yet Adam was right there with her, when she ate from the tree, Adam ate then With her. Which, she and Adam were forbidden to eat from, if did death would be, and has been to all flesh ever since. Death to the flesh, yet there is life in Father's spirit and truth for everyone to believe and be new in too, thank you.
Now I see this: Gal. 2:20
The dependency they had on God only, left them in being totally dependent on God the creator of all, now a creator themselves as if are God and are not God. yet can think they are, anyone else go through this themselves too?
Adam the first saw this right away and took Eve and ran off to hide from God.
fast forward to the risen Son, where the curse of people is reversed for us to be new in Father's Spirit and Truth leading us each new in love and mercy too, you think, I now finally know and am thankful
Reckon self dead to be alive to God in Daddy's spirit and truth too, thank you

reneweddaybyday · Jan 14, 2026

James 1:

12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

Here we are warned that we are drawn away and enticed. If you look at the words drawn away and enticed in the Greek, they are hunting terms.

drawn away = Greek exelkó. From Thayer's:

where the metaphor is taken from hunting and fishing: as game is lured from its covert, so man by lust is allured from the safety of self-restraint to sin

I agree with Thayer's definition except for the "self-restraint" part. I believe we are lured from the safety of abiding in the Lord Jesus Christ which is where we are safe. It is only in the Lord Jesus Christ that we are able to overcome the lusts of our flesh (But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof - Rom 13:14).

enticed = Greek deleazó. From HELPS Word-studies:

properly, to bait a hook or set a trap with bait; (figuratively) entice a victim into a moral trap, luring them in through their own selfish impulses.

To "endure temptation" is to bear up under the load. If we remain within the abode of the Lord Jesus Christ, we can bear whatever it is that is enticing us to leave our safe harbor. He helps us endure ... He was tempted in all points as we are, yet without sin (Heb 4:15).

God warns us over and over ... He tells us exactly how we are drawn away. As we grow and mature spiritually in the Lord Jesus Christ, we are able to recognize the "bait" ... the "trap" ... and our being drawn away occurs less and less frequently. We realize that the bait, the enticement, is not worth leaving our abode in the Lord Jesus Christ to to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.

There's also a verse in Ephesians where we are told the "old man" is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts (Eph 4:22). The lusts deceive us into thinking something is good for us when in all actuality, that which we think is good for us draws us away from the Lord ... the place where we are able to overcome ... the place where we are safe. pretty slick ...

.

Brasspen · Jan 14, 2026

These are all good things about this subject.

I wanted to say that I seen the road sign again, it said, "Overcoming Temptation", Not "Resisting Temptation".

ResidentAlien · Jan 15, 2026

Learn the meaning of these scriptures, they hold the key: "The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law." 1 Corinthians 15:56 "For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace." Romans 6:14 "For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law." Romans 5:13 "And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross." Colossians 2:13-14

Journey_man · Jan 15, 2026

The following points were made during a sermon I heard being preached on this subject.

1. Pray; Ask God for strength, confess your sin, and seek His guidance,
(Matthew 6:13 And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

2. Use the Word of God as Jesus did to combat lies and anchor yourself (e.g., quote verses).

3. Make a firm choice to be holy, submitting your will to God and actively turning away from sin.

4. Confess your struggle to a trusted Christian friend for accountability and encouragement.

5. Avoid places and people that repeatedly lead you to temptation (Proverbs 4:14-15). Do not enter the path of the wicked, And do not walk in the way of evil. Avoid it, do not travel on it; Turn away from it and pass on.

6. Renew your mind; Actively capture thoughts and bring them into obedience to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

7. Remember the escape, when tempted, look for God's provided escape route, which could be physical, verbal (confession), or prayerful.

Gods Spirit empowers believers to overcome temptation, but we must submit ourselves to His will.

1 Corinthians 10:13 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.

reneweddaybyday · Jan 15, 2026

resisting the devil leads to overcoming.

James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

God has provided all we need to resist ... stand fast in faith ... we just need to recognize the deceitful lusts for what they are and remain steadfast in our safe harbor.

Ephesians 6:10-18

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints

our task is not to "fight" the wicked one ... we are to stand strong in faith, withstand the evil of the day, proclaim the gospel of peace, pray always.

If we leave our abode in the Lord Jesus Christ, we have no power to withstand the evil one. It is only in Him ... in the power of His might ... that we are able to overcome.

.

Karlon · Jan 15, 2026

temptation is overcome by resisting temptation. never be in the fight.

homwardbound · Jan 19, 2026

Jesus overcame it for us all John 16:32-33

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"Resisting Temptation"

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