(James 1:12-18, Gen. 3, Eph. 6:10-18)

As we “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:14), we must never forget to “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8)

 

How does Satan tempt us?

 

  1. Attention –“the fish sees the bait”. Satan uses things that we like, are good at, or struggle with to turn our eyes away from God and onto the invitation to sin. (James 1:14a, Gen. 3:1)

 

  1. Attraction – “the fish looks twice because he is attracted to the bait”. There is no sin involved at this point, but the line between attraction and acceptance is very thin indeed! (James 1:14b, Gen. 3:2-5)

 

  1. Acceptance – “the fish decides to strike, and that decision decides his fate”. In other words we have sinned against God the instant we accept the temptation. (James 1:15a, Matt. 5:28)

 

  1. Action – “the fish strikes”. Putting our sin into action always affects those around us! (James 1:15b, Gen. 3:6)

 

  1. Aftermath – “the fish is caught”. The aftermath or results of sin are always death! A fish may sometimes escape the fisherman’s hook, but without the forgiveness and power of God we will never be able to escape the eternal death that comes from our sin. (James 1:15c, Gen. 3:7-24)

 

 

How Do I Fight Temptation?

Knowing how Satan is going to attack us is one thing,

but we must be ready to stand firm when those

temptations do come.

 

  1. Remember that Satan is Powerless before God. Satan can only do as much as God lets him and no more!   (Rev. 20:1-10, 1 Cor. 10:13, Job 1)

 

  1. Recognize what Tempts you. Learn from your past sins and mistakes.  .Ask God to help you understand how Satan tempts you. (James 1:14, Eph. 2:1-3)

 

  1. Resist the devil. Plead the blood of Christ, and resist Satan through God’s power and the Word of God.  Learn the meaning of NO! (James 4:7, Matt. 4:1-11)

 

  1. Remove obvious Sin and Temptation out of your life as quickly and thoroughly as possible! (Matt. 18:7-9, Rev. 12:10-12) 

 

  1. Ready yourself for Battle! Put on the whole armor of God.  Spend much time talking with God.  Make yourself Accountable to someone!                                                 (Eph. 6:10-18, 2 Cor. 4:3-4, Acts. 26:15-18)

 

 

 

The most effective weapon or defense against Satan is not to focus of what he is doing, but to keep our eyes on Jesus and what He wants to do in your life! (Col. 3:1-4).

 

God promises that the rewards for our obedience, perseverance, and faith will be beyond our imagination! (James 1:12)