Published on 07/9/2008

We are examining questions of the faith during the summer months. An age-old question we all face is how to overcome temptations that are part of our everyday lives.

We are examining questions of the faith during the summer months. An age-old question we all face is how to overcome temptations that are part of our everyday lives. Let’s look at one of the best examples in the Bible. King David had an affair with Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah. She became pregnant. To cover his sin, eventually he had Uriah killed and took his widow as his own wife. But God knew what he had done. And David's story would never be the same.

In this one event the king broke nine of God's Ten Commandments. He violated in order the tenth by coveting his neighbor's wife; the seventh by committing adultery; the eighth by stealing her for himself; the sixth by murdering her husband; the ninth by lying about his sin; the fifth by dishonoring his parents; the second by making an idol of Bathsheba; and the first and third by shaming God and his name. At least he didn't break the Sabbath, so far as we know.

Why did a "man after God's own heart" do this? Why do we sin? How do we defeat temptation? What do we do when we don't?

When Jesus defeated Satan's attacks, the enemy "left him until an opportune time" (Luke 4:13). If our Lord faced temptation, so will we. The devil is very real, and he hates you. You are his enemy. Jesus warned us that the devil is a "murderer from the beginning," and "a liar and the father of lies" (John 8:44). He is a "roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8). He tempts and deceives every one of us.

Here's why: "after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death" (James 1:15). Mark it down: sin always takes you further than you wanted to go, keeps you longer than you wanted to stay, and costs you more than you wanted to pay. Always.

When you are tempted, remember this promise: "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful: he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it" (1 Corinthians 10:13).

God will allow no temptation he will not give us the strength to defeat. Conversely, Satan will not waste his time with temptations he knows we can defeat in our own strength. So every time you are tempted, know that you cannot win this battle without God's help. Develop the reflex of giving every temptation immediately to the Father. Ask him for his power. Leave it in his hands. Take it to God now.

What if you don’t? Tomorrow, let’s consider the consequences of sin.