How can I resist temptation?

Job 31:1“I made a covenant with my eyes not to look with lust at a young woman.”

Daniel 1:8Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods.

1 Corinthians 16:13-14Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love.

1 Timothy 4:7-8Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.”

A solid commitment made before temptation strikes is the best prevention of sin. The time to prepare for temptation is before it presses in on us. If we train ourselves in the quieter times to redirect our thoughts to what is good and right (Philippians 4:8), we will have the spiritual wisdom, strength, and commitment to honor God in the face of intense desires and temptation.

Luke 12:15“Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”

2 Corinthians 4:18So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

Philippians 3:14I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

Hebrews 11:25-26He [Moses] chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin. He thought it was better to suffer for the sake of Christ than to own the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his great reward.

Hebrews 12:1-3Since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.

We can break free from temptation when we change our focus and train our minds. Instead of thinking about our weakness, we can fill our minds with the promise of God’s strength. Instead of thinking about what we are missing, we can think about what we are gaining by moving in a different direction. And be encouraged by the examples of faith that have gone before us!

Matthew 6:9, 13“Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. . . . And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.”

Matthew 26:39He [Jesus] went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”

Matthew 26:41“Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!”

Ephesians 6:18Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

Colossians 4:2Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.

Resisting temptation should be a constant focus in our prayers. Jesus used the tool of prayer, communicating honestly with God in his temptation. He encourages us to do this for ourselves and on behalf of each another.

Psalm 119:9, 11How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word. . . . I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

Psalm 119:105Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.

Proverbs 7:1-5Follow my advice, my son; always treasure my commands. Obey my commands and live! Guard my instructions as you guard your own eyes. Tie them on your fingers as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Love wisdom like a sister; make insight a beloved member of your family. Let them protect you from an affair with an immoral woman, from listening to the flattery of a promiscuous woman.

Matthew 4:1-11Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry. During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’” Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’” Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.” “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’” Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.

Luke 8:13“The seeds on the rocky soil represent those who hear the message and receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they believe for a while, then they fall away when they face temptation.”

Ephesians 6:11-17Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. . . . hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

1 John 2:14I have written to you who are God’s children because you know the Father. I have written to you who are mature in the faith because you know Christ, who existed from the beginning. 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.

Learn the Scriptures and meditate on them. There is no substitute! God’s Word is a light for our path, food for our souls, and a mighty sword in our battle with temptation.

Proverbs 2:10-12, 16-17For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy. Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe. Wisdom will save you from evil people, from those whose words are twisted. . . . Wisdom will save you from the immoral woman, from the seductive words of the promiscuous woman. She has abandoned her husband and ignores the covenant she made before God.

John 8:31-32Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Titus 2:12We are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God.

Christian growth brings an increased knowledge and conviction of the truth, and one result is that we have the wisdom to more quickly recognize Satan’s lies. The more we are committed to God and his ways, the less we will be fooled by Satan and attracted to his ungodly ways.

Ecclesiastes 4:12A 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.

2 Timothy 2:22Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.

A Christian friend is a powerful ally in the fight against temptation. Whether we rely on a small group, accountability partners, a Christian spouse, or all of the above, we grow best when we grow together.

Romans 6:13-14Give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.

Galatians 5:16So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.

Hebrews 2:18Since he [Jesus] himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.

Hebrews 4:14-16So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

1 John 4:4You belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.

Go directly to God, following the example of his Son and the leading of his Spirit.

Proverbs 16:18Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.

Proverbs 21:4Haughty eyes, a proud heart, and evil actions are all sin.

James 4:6-7He [God] gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Cultivate humility and beware of pride. Pride is the root of many sins, including the first sin. It constantly tempts us with our selfish desires and hardens our hearts to God’s Word. Humility is the first step to inviting God to change our hearts.

Genesis 39:6-10So Potiphar gave Joseph complete administrative responsibility over everything he owned. With Joseph there, he didn’t worry about a thing—except what kind of food to eat! Joseph was a very handsome and well-built young man, and Potiphar’s wife soon began to look at him lustfully. “Come and sleep with me,” she demanded. But Joseph refused. “Look,” he told her, “my master trusts me with everything in his entire household. No one here has more authority than I do. He has held back nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How could I do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God.” She kept putting pressure on Joseph day after day, but he refused to sleep with her, and he kept out of her way as much as possible.

Genesis 39:11-12One day, however, no one else was around when he went in to do his work. She came and grabbed him by his cloak, demanding, “Come on, sleep with me!” Joseph tore himself away, but he left his cloak in her hand as he ran from the house.

Proverbs 1:10-17My child, if sinners entice you, turn your back on them! They may say, “Come and join us. Let’s hide and kill someone! Just for fun, let’s ambush the innocent! Let’s swallow them alive, like the grave; let’s swallow them whole, like those who go down to the pit of death. Think of the great things we’ll get! We’ll fill our houses with all the stuff we take. Come, throw in your lot with us; we’ll all share the loot.” My child, don’t go along with them! Stay far away from their paths. They rush to commit evil deeds. They hurry to commit murder. If a bird sees a trap being set, it knows to stay away.

Proverbs 4:14, 15, 24Don’t do as the wicked do, and don’t follow the path of evildoers. . . . Don’t even think about it; don’t go that way. Turn away and keep moving. . . . Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech.

1 Corinthians 15:33-34Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for “bad company corrupts good character.” Think carefully about what is right, and stop sinning. For to your shame I say that some of you don’t know God at all.

1 Timothy 6:11-12You, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses.

1 Thessalonians 5:22Stay away from every kind of evil.

1 John 5:21Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.

It’s best to just stay away from temptation entirely. When it is impossible to avoid temptation entirely, we should turn our backs to it. When it is not possible to turn our backs, we might need to promptly leave—run!—as Joseph did. Be wise! If we know we are liable to give in to the pressure of certain people, it is best to avoid their company and reconsider those friendships.