Have you ever felt like you were stuck in an endless cycle of temptation that you can’t overcome? You make yourself promises and do your best to keep them, but you keep losing the battle and finding yourself stuck in regret, making more promises until temptation rears its ugly head again. You are in need of immediate assistance. #TheStruggleIsReal!
Has the devil convinced you that temptation is too much for you? Has he led you to believe that it’s easier to just give in? After all, you can’t help it! It’s just the way you are. But it doesn’t have to be that way! When you made Jesus your Lord and Savior, the devil lost his power. Now he’s doing everything he can to make sure you don’t realize that.
The Bible says that because Jesus suffered through temptation when He was in this world, He can help us when we’re suffering through it. I like how the Amplified Translation says that He will “help and provide immediate assistance!”
Because He Himself [in His humanity] has suffered in being tempted, He is able to help and provide immediate assistance to those who are being tempted and exposed to suffering. – Hebrews 2:18 (The Amplified Translation)
That means that at the very moment we feel temptation rearing its ugly head, Jesus is there to help. Right away! Not after we’ve tried on our own to rise above it. Not after we’ve blown it and are asking for forgiveness and a fresh start. But immediately! I’m convinced that we just need to get out of the way and let Jesus take the wheel so we don’t end up in the ditch.
Here are three of the ways that Jesus provides immediate assistance when we find ourselves up against temptation:
He provides a way out! (1 Corinthians 10:13)
God promised that He will not allow us to be tempted beyond our ability to resist and with every temptation that comes our way, He will provide a way out. You do realize there is a way out, don’t you? It could be as obvious as the door! Ultimately, whether we give in to temptation or not boils down to one choice at a time. Look for the way out because it is there! And when you see it, even just a glimpse of it, take it! Get out of there fast!
He provides strength! (Philippians 4:13, 2 Corinthians 12:9)
We may be able to acknowledge there is a way out, but can we also admit it’s not always easy to take it? We hear the whispers of the devil trying to convince us that just one compromise won’t hurt. Or that there’s no point in trying to fight because we’ll lose eventually. But here’s the thing! You are not alone! And while it may be true that you can’t beat it in your own strength, it’s also true that you don’t have to. You can draw on Christ’s strength! Next time you hear the devil whispering, “You can’t do it!” – boldly exclaim in return, “But Jesus will!”
He provides peace! (Philippians 4:7)
When you give everything to Jesus, even your temptations, what you get in return is the peace of God that is beyond all understanding. For some reason, when we have a habit or a stronghold that we desperately want to get rid of, we cling tightly to it as though it’s safer in our clenched fists where we can control it. But we really can’t control it at all. We’re much better off when we let God pry open our fingers and take it from us. In His hands, it has no power over us.
Next time you face temptation, whatever it is, remind yourself that it’s not your battle. Look for the way out and take just one step in that direction, trusting Jesus to carry you the rest of the way. Let go of the control you think you have and relinquish it to the One who loves you and has promised you victory!
