Once a man came to me for counseling and was very upset because of some great sins he had committed. The more he talked, the more I began to realize that he hadn’t actually sinned, he had just been tempted to sin.
Hebrews 4:15 tells us that Jesus was tempted just like we are, but He was without sin. You may ask, “how could he be tempted and not be in sin?” Well, actually the answer is quite simple.
Hebrews 4:15 says, “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.”
It’s not temptation that is a sin. It’s the yielding to temptation that is the sin.
Now don’t take me wrong. Even though temptation is not a sin, we cannot dwell on these temptations or they will quickly become sin, even if we don’t take action on them.
James 1:14 to 16 says, “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire, or lust, has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived.”
The Bible says that Jesus as a man was tempted by all the things that any other man has been tempted with; however, He did not give the temptation any place in His life. He overcame the temptations and did not sin. Jesus is our example. He defeated Satan and gave Christians authority over the devil. We can resist temptation the same way He did.
Over the years, I’ve counseled many people who have yielded to temptation. They said they had no choice. They said the pressures of the temptation were just too great. They couldn’t help it. They had to yield; they had no other option.
Once a man told me he just fell into adultery. Give me a break! With the secret phone calls and all the sneaking around and all the lying, he didn’t just fall into adultery. He planned it all. He claimed he fell into it when he got caught. He had a choice and he chose poorly.
First Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
If you have been tempted by greed, lust, adultery, hatred, or any other evil thing, then today I have good news. God’s Word has clearly given us a method to overcome temptation.
In Luke chapter 4, Satan tempted Jesus three times. All three times Jesus overcame the temptation using one weapon. That weapon was the Word of God. Each time Jesus spoke to Satan, the tempter, he quoted the Word.
Satan, with all his temptation, could not overpower the Word of God.
As Christians, we are to be like Jesus. When Satan comes against us with temptation, we say, “It is written” and he will flee. For example, if you are tempted to hate someone who has hurt you, say, “It is written, ‘You shall love your brother as yourself.'” If you are tempted by Satan to be unfaithful in your marriage, then say out loud, “It is written, thou shall not commit adultery.”
Whatever the temptation, find the scripture that stops it. Quote it out loud. Speak the Word and the tempter will flee.
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Dr. Larry Ollison is founder and Senior Pastor of Walk on the Water Faith Church and founder of Larry Ollison Ministries. With over forty years in the ministry, he is a very popular speaker nationally and internationally and ministers the Word of Faith through radio, television, Internet, and daily e-mail devotionals. As the author of twelve books (including The Power of Grace, The Practical Handbook for Christian Living, Breaking the Cycle of Offense, Life is in the Blood, and recently released The Paradise of God), he is in frequent demand for radio/TV interviews, book signings, and magazine publications.
Dr. Ollison was raised a Southern Baptist. While majoring in theology at Southwest Baptist University, he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. For many years he traveled extensively speaking at Full Gospel Business Men's meetings and conventions. He later earned an M.A. in Theology and a Ph.D. and Th.D. from Life Christian University.
Currently President of International Convention of Faith Ministries (ICFM), Dr. Ollison is also Vice-President of Spirit FM Christian Radio Network, Missouri State Director of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), and a Trustee on the boards of several international ministries. He is also the host of The Cutting Edge Radio Broadcast and authors The Cutting Edge Daily Devotional.
As the owner of a marine dealership, his extensive business background brings a unique flavor to his teaching. He founded and served as chairman of the Missouri State Marine Board, President of the Marine Dealers’ Association, Vice-President of a bank holding company, along with holding several directorships in various corporations.
Dr. Ollison's strongest areas of teaching are the blood of Jesus, faith, relationships, the Hebrew language, the Holy Spirit, the end times, and heaven. During ministry, he operates freely in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. His use of humor and his ability to make a theological concept simple makes it enjoyable and easy for everyone to understand. Countless testimonies have been received from people who say their lives have been changed after experiencing Dr. Ollison's unique ministry.
Dr. Ollison is a pastor, pilot, teacher, and author. His number one goal is to meet the needs of the people through the teaching of faith in God's Word. He and his wife, Loretta, have two children and six grandchildren.