Handling temptation Christ’s way (2)

Observe this: (1) Temptation comes when you’re alone without support. Just as a wolf looks for the sheep that wanders from the safety of the fold, when you neglect Christian fellowship and cut yourself off from other believers, the enemy rejoices. You say, “But I have the Lord with me always.” Yes, but here is how the Bible teaches us to overcome temptation: “A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12 NLT). We are born, and born again, to walk this journey with others. Paul wrote, “The body is not made up of one part but of many…The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I don’t need you!’ And the head cannot say to the feet, ‘I don’t need you!’” (1 Corinthians 12:14, 21 NIV). Walking in step with other believers increases your protection against Satan. (2) Your greatest weapon in the hour of temptation is knowing God’s Word. Jesus repelled Satan’s attacks by quoting it. Satan is rendered powerless when he is confronted by a believer who declares, “It is written!” You must decide to take a stand, but it’s your stance on God’s Word that makes the enemy retreat. When Satan approached, Jesus didn’t go looking for a Bible; He quoted the Word He knew by heart. That’s your key to victory. John said, “I have written to you who are young in the faith because you are strong. God’s word lives in your hearts, and you have won your battle with the evil one” (1 John 2:14 NLT).