More and more, it seems the attitude of the world is, “If you want something, get it for yourself.” As Christians, we know that we should not confuse our wants with our needs; we also know that sometimes our wants run counter to our identity in Christ. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak (cf. Matthew 26:41). Scripture tells us that we can overcome this weakness with God’s help (cf. 1 Corinthians 10:12–13; James 4:7). Here are five guidelines that can help us say no to temptations and sins.
- Don’t experiment with sin. You can’t get addicted to pills, alcohol, marijuana, lying, gossip, or any other sinful substance if you never try it. It is easier to say ‘no’ to something one thousand times in a row than it is to say ‘no’ after having said ‘yes’ once. Sin will always take us further than we want to go. Sin is always destructive. It leads to death (cf. James 1:15).
- Avoid tempting situations as much as possible. Proverbs 6:27 says, “Can a man carry fire next to his chest and his clothes not be burned?” Part of overcoming sin is knowing our own weaknesses. While all temptations and sins fall into three basic categories (lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, 1 John 2:16), we do not all experience the same temptations. If we know our weaknesses, we can avoid situations that will amplify our temptations and put us at greater risk of sinning.
- Fill your heart and mind with Scripture. The psalmist said, “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11). Jesus answered each of the adversary’s temptations with Scripture (cf. Matthew 4:1–11; Luke 4:1–13). When we fill our hearts and minds with God’s Word, we grow in our love for Him, we grow in our understanding of the ugliness of sin, and we grow in our ability to measure the temporary against the eternal.
- Make a habit of detailed confession in prayer. Proverbs 28:13 says, “He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.” In our private prayers to God, we should take the time to evaluate our actions according to His standards. When we practice detailed confession, we are forced to confront the ugliness and gravity of what we have done instead of glossing over it.
- Practice accountability with fellow Christians. As Christians, we need no mediator but Jesus (cf. 1 Timothy 2:5). Nevertheless, James writes, “confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed” (James 5:16). When we share our struggles with fellow Christians, we find new strength in our common goal to live holy lives. We also find the added support of prayer. When we ignore James’ words, we ignore a powerful God has given us for the fight against sin.
God has provided the way of escape. Will you take it?
Clay Leonard
