From the beginning, man has struggled against Satan. He has constantly tempted man ever since he first tempted Adam and Eve in the garden. Man has also suffered the guilt of sin; throughout all the ages this has been true. Satan certainly knows man's appetites and weaknesses.
Satan even approached Jesus, the Son of God, in an attempt to convince Him to commit sin. It was Satan's ultimate goal to see deity bow down before him (Matthew 4:9,10). Satan is persistent - his work is non-stop. Haven't we all been tempted by him? Not a one of us are immune to his advances. Then how do we resist Satan? How do we flee from him? (James 4:4)
1) Pray to God for help.
Man needs God's aid in this. Yet God must be petitioned for help (Matthew 6:13). The less less we pray to God for his help in this matter, the more we will give in to our temptations!2) Have determination. (Daniel 1:8; Genesis 39:9)
Without purpose of heart, failure is certain.3) Study the word. (Psalms 119:11; Hebrews 4:12; Psalms 119:105)
God's word is powerful . Christ knew this. He quoted scripture every time he was tempted. He repeatedly said, "It is written.."4) Use the escape route. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
We are always provided with a way to avoid giving in to our temptations. We simply need to look for the way out. But so many times we just don't want to escape. When the temptation is so overpowering, we instead choose to court it and flirt with it! But this is definitely NOT the way to ultimately overcome the temptation.5) Draw near to God. (James 4:8)
The farther we are from God, the more comfortable Satan is being close to us. The primary reason that people are succumbing to temptation is that they just aren't drawing near to God. Every day we need to keep God in our lives - in our minds - in our thoughts. Freedom in Christ includes not wanting to remain bound by the schemes and temptations of the devil.
Matthew 4:9,10
9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
Matthew 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Daniel 1:8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile
himself.Genesis 39:9 There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?
Psalms 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents
of the heart.Psalms 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may
be able to bear it.James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
