Overcoming Temptation

The attack came out of the blue. I sat in my office, minding my own business. In walked Temptation. She toyed with my mind like a cat tangled in a ball of yarn. She plowed the ground of my dry heart, trying to expose seeds of truth to the harsh heat of her lies. I fought back the thoughts as best I could with arrows of truth from God’s Word. Before long, I was weary and losing ground.

After work, I ran to my car, perhaps trying to outrun Temptation, who sensed my weakness and took advantage of me. I picked up my phone and called a lifeline. When my trusted friend answered the phone, I skipped the pleasantries and let the terrible thoughts rush past my lips uncensored. Rotten schemes, twisted truths, and the darkness of my heart laid bare for her to see.

With all of my ugly hanging on the phone line like soiled and tattered laundry, my friend gently spoke truth over me. She reminded me of the truths my tempter tried to hide in the shadows of false promise. She even gave me weapons to defeat Temptation—things like making a list, saying truth aloud, and turning to specific Scripture:

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it” (1 Cor. 10:13 NIV).

Our adversary would like nothing more than the shame of temptation to keep us silent.  The fact that “no temptation has overtaken you except what is common to man” brings relief. Others experience the same temptations I do. When I talk about them with someone else, I take the power of the temptations away. I verbally identify what is really going on and get some accountability in the process.

We invite light into the darkness of our struggle when we say it aloud. Confiding in a trusted friend gives us the benefit of hearing “me, too.” We can lean on the strength of others who walked through the valley of doubt with their faith intact. Truth-tellers help us identify the lies threatening our confidence, replacing them with the promises found in God’s Word.

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Imagine what would have happened if David sought Nathan’s counsel before he pursued Bathsheba. Or if Samson shared his desire for Delilah with his father instead of running headlong to her bed. How would the story in Acts 5 differ if Ananias and Sapphira confided in Peter about their struggle with pride before offering their generous gift?

After my confessional conversation, I felt the weight of temptation lift from my shoulders. The shadows in my heart dissipated as my friend reflected the light of Christ. I took the proactive steps she recommended and reclaimed the battle against my tempter. It wasn’t long before that same temptation came after me again. I looked her in the face and boldly proclaimed truth and victory. She never stood a chance.

When we encounter temptation, God will provide a way out. Find a trusted friend or mentor to run to when you need support. Sharing our struggle with temptation can become our escape.

Kelly Smith is a small town girl who married a small town man 17 years ago. She has three energetic blessings, ages 1 to 11. Her favorite indulgences are coffee, reading, writing, and running. Kelly believes we are created for community and loves to find ways to connect with other women who are walking in the shadow of the cross. She blogs at mrsdisciple.com.

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