WEAPON #1 - Temptation
The Bible calls the devil the Tempter in Matthew 4:3 and 1 Thessalonians 3:5. Satan has no power to make you do anything. He cannot force you to sin or to give up your faith. However, he does have a "bag of tricks," that he uses to get you to act independently of God and His will for you. The strongest weapon that Satan has is temptation.
From James 1:12-15, we learn how temptation works. First of all, the devil looks for an area of your life where you are weak. He then entices you in that area. Temptation is not sin - only giving in to it is. "You cannot prevent birds from flying over your head. You can, however, prevent them from landing and building a nest on your head." Martin Luther. If you give in to the temptation, sin is conceived. After sin gets a "hook" in you, it becomes stronger and stronger, if you do not repent, until it controls you and finally destroys you.
1 John 2:16 (NKJV) - For all that [is] in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world.
There are three areas where believers are tempted:
1 Thessalonians 5:8 (NKJV) - But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and [as] a helmet the hope of salvation.
There are many ways to successfully overcome temptation:
Next, Weapon #2: Condemnation
From James 1:12-15, we learn how temptation works. First of all, the devil looks for an area of your life where you are weak. He then entices you in that area. Temptation is not sin - only giving in to it is. "You cannot prevent birds from flying over your head. You can, however, prevent them from landing and building a nest on your head." Martin Luther. If you give in to the temptation, sin is conceived. After sin gets a "hook" in you, it becomes stronger and stronger, if you do not repent, until it controls you and finally destroys you.
1 John 2:16 (NKJV) - For all that [is] in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world.
There are three areas where believers are tempted:
- The lust of the flesh: This area deals with the desires of the flesh and includes such sins as sexual immorality, gluttony, drunkenness, drug abuse, and laziness.
- The lust of the eyes: This area has to do with man's relationship to money and possessions. It includes such sins as greed, covetousness (strong desire to possess something belonging to someone else), stealing, lying and hoarding.
- The pride of life: This area involves putting yourself at the center of all things and relationships. It includes such sins as pride, vanity, strife, anger, envy, idolatry, and murder.
1 Thessalonians 5:8 (NKJV) - But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and [as] a helmet the hope of salvation.
There are many ways to successfully overcome temptation:
- Use a balanced approach to spiritual warfare by daily putting on the whole armor of God. For the whole armor of God read Ephesians 6:10-18.
- Build yourself up spiritually through prayer and Bible study. The importance of this cannot be overemphasized.
- Stay away from evil influences (1 Timothy 6:11, 2 Timothy 2:22, 1 John 2:15). This may mean changing friends, entertainment, jobs, or anything else which could pull you back into the world and your old way of life.
- Use the Word against temptation and the devils lies (Ephesians 6:17, Matthew 4:1-11).
- Be sure to stay in close fellowship with other believers through your local church (Hebrews 10:25).
- Lay hold to the promise of God that He will not allow Satan to tempt you beyond what you can handle, but will give you a way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13).
- After you have submitted yourself to God, resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7).
Next, Weapon #2: Condemnation