By Jeff Cranston

In 1 Corinthians 10:13, the Bible provides a four-step process to help us overcome temptation:

“No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.”

Let’s take a deeper look into these four steps:

1. Accept that temptation is the common experience of all people.

We should not feel guilty when we are tempted. We’re all tempted to sin. Even Jesus himself was tempted directly by the Devil. There is a commonality to our temptations. Just like the Devil tempted Adam and Eve, he tempts us with the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the eyes, and the pride of life (I John 2:15-17).

Time passes, technology changes and the techniques may vary, but the basic temptations are still the same: greed, gluttony, lying, lust, adultery, fornication, dishonesty, anger, envy, jealousy and intoxication. These have been around forever. Whatever temptation you are experiencing is not uncommon, unheard of or unconventional. You are not alone. Others have experienced it too!

2. Remember God is faithful, even when we may not be. 

What a wonderful assurance and a precious promise! Even when we become unfaithful and are under the influence of sin’s allurement, God is still there, ever waiting, still blessing, ready to forgive, offering healing and hope for the future. God can free sin’s grip on us if we turn to Him.

People may give up on us, abandon us, or join us in our folly, but the Almighty is always available. His power is accessible to help us subdue temptation. And His grace and mercy are extended to welcome us home after we’ve succumbed to sin’s seduction.

3. Realize your temptation is not more than you can endure. 

Too often, we give in to temptation with the justification, “It’s more than I can handle.” Or the rationalization, “I couldn’t help it.” Or the silly excuse, “Well, after all, I’m only human!”

Yes, we are human beings made in the image of a Holy God. He made us with the ability to choose right over wrong—the resolve of will to engage in good instead of evil and the strength of character to subdue temptation with the power of Christ in us. You can endure! You can overcome. You can say, “No!” Because the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is alive in you!

4. Look for God’s way of escape. 

The way may be different for each of us.

·       The apostle Paul found it necessary to engage in spiritual warfare to fight the wiles of the Devil.

·       Jesus put the Tempter to flight with words of Scripture, each time saying, “It is written.”

·       Joseph literally ran from the sexual enticement of Potiphar’s wife.

·       Daniel dealt with many challenges in captivity with a vigorous and vigilant prayer life.

What will be your way of escape from temptation? I don’t know. But I do know that God will provide it.

Jeff Cranston is the lead pastor of LowCountry Community Church in Bluffton, South Carolina.