Frustration

It is easy to become overwhelmed by the temptations of this world; it is just as easy to get spiritually frustrated because of them. The reason why we all have so much trouble with temptation is because our flesh is weak. Matthew 26:41 says, "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." Inside we all truly want to overcome our temptation situations but because of our human bodies this task is much harder to handle.

Matthew 26:41 gives us great instructions though on what to do in order to make it through our temptation situations. It says, "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation." It is not possible for us to completely stay away from temptation, especially in the temptation filled world we live in. But what we can do is watch out for these temptation situations and pray about them when they occur. One of the easiest things to do when you are in a temptation situation is to freeze up and fall right where Satan wants you; that is why we all must figure out how we will handle different situations before we come in contact with temptation. The earlier you decide to do the right thing when a temptation situation comes around, the easier it will be for you to overcome it when you are in its midst.

Throughout your day, recognize the times when you feel tempted. Remind yourself that you cannot overcome the temptation by yourself because of the weakness of your humanly flesh. Once you stop depending on yourself to overcome your temptation situations, you will find yourself relying more on God. The more you rely on God, the easier it is to allow the Holy Spirit inside you to conquer the temptations that come your way.

Creation

Many people have a misconception of who sends temptation our way. Some get angry with God because they believe He is the one behind it but that is not true. Dictionary.com defines temptation as "the desire to have or do something that you know you should avoid". Surely that is just the world's definition right? Temptation can't be created by our own desires can it? Well, James 1:13-14 says, "When tempted, no one should say, 'God is tempting me.' For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed." As you can see, God is not behind the creation of our temptation situations; we are. Our own evil desires set the stage for temptation to be such a struggle to deal with. Because of this, Satan is able to drag us away and entice us.

Not only does this passage show us where our temptation situations come from, but it gives us an insight at God's power over temptation. The passage says that God cannot be tempted and He does not tempt anyone. Although God is not behind the temptation situations we go through, He is in control. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. 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 stand up under it." It's amazing to know that, although we as humans are not strong enough to overcome temptation situations, our God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone. Because of this, and because of His supreme power and control over everything, He will always provide a way out for us.

When you find yourself in the center of a temptation situation, remind yourself that God is in control and is there to help you stand up under it. Accept the fact that as a human you cannot overcome your temptation situations alone. Begin to allow God to take control and show you the way out. By doing so, you will find that temptation situations become easier to overcome. Gain confidence when you are going through temptation situations by reminding yourself that God will always be able to save you because of His awesome power and control over all.

Location

In Genesis 2 we see that everything was going well for Adam and Eve. God had given Adam a wife who would be his helper, and both of them were given the best spot in town-the Garden of Eden. God had put trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food there, and a river that watered them. All of these things were provided for Adam and Eve and all they had to do was take care of the garden and stay away from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Yes, life was good for the first two people on earth. That is, until Eve got the first look at temptation.

This first temptation situation changed the lives of Adam and Eve, and all of us after them:

Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?"

The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.' "

"You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman. "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."

When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. (Genesis 3:1-6)

God had given Adam and Eve clear instructions in Genesis 2:16-17 and although they knew they were not allowed to eat from the trees, they didn't avoid them. By putting themselves in the location of a temptation situation, Satan was able to work his evil magic by questioning them in order to make them feel like it was ok to do what they were told not to.

One of the best ways to keep from falling into temptation is to avoid areas where temptation situations are at their most frequent. If you struggle with the temptation of alcohol and drugs, stay away from places where these things are easily accesible. Choose your friends wisely and make sure they help you through your temptation situations, not lead you into them. If you struggle with pornography, don't get on the internet if you are home alone and stay away from stores where pornographic materials are sold. No matter what temptation situations you struggle with, their location is always a factor. Don't make it easier on Satan to make you fail; avoid the locations of temptation situations.

Evasion

The first technique of temptation evasion is to come to the realization that by being in a location where temptation is inevitable, you are putting yourself at a high risk of sinning. In Genesis 27 we read of Jacob in a temptation situation that was set up by his mother. Jacob's mom overheard Isaac telling Esau that he was going to bless him before he died so she told Jacob to trick his father Isaac into thinking he was Esau. Let's see what Jacob's initial response was in Genesis 27:11-13:

Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, "But my brother Esau is a hairy man, and I'm a man with smooth skin. What if my father touches me? I would appear to be tricking him and would bring down a curse on myself rather than a blessing." His mother said to him, "My son, let the curse fall on me. Just do what I say; go and get them for me."
As you can see, Jacob came to the realization that he was being tempted by his mother. If Jacob would have just acted upon his realization then he would not have fallen to the temptation. As a Christian, the Holy Spirit will help you determine what is right and wrong, but it is up to us to do what is right. Some fall into temptation but choose not to realize it; they do this either because they don't want to, or they are not knowledgeable of the morals God wants us to maintain.

I know a lot of people who claim to be Christians but hang around with people that heavily tempt them. They continue hanging out with them even though the situations are hazardous to their spiritual health. If we, as Christians, don't acknowledge that we are in a situation where we are being tempted, then we won't even make an effort to choose what is right.

Preparation for temptation situations is the best way to conquer them. It is always much easier to fall into temptation when the decision of whether or not to do it is in its midst. You will be more likely to defeat temptation if you decide now whether or not you will go through with a temptation when it comes about. The earlier you decide that you aren't going to do something, the easier it is to actually stand by your decision. Another way to be prepared for temptation is to be in constant prayer with God. Ask Him to watch over you as you go throughout your day just like it says in the Lord's prayer (Matthew 6:13)

The final technique of temptation evasion is quotation of the scriptures. In Matthew 4:1-11 we read of Jesus being tempted by Satan. Three times Satan tried his best to cause Jesus to stumble, yet each time Jesus replied with a quotation of scripture. Satan could not stand up against the truth of the Bible (Psalm 33:4, Psalm 48:14, John 1:17) and he eventually left Jesus. The same is true for us when we are in temptation situations. Satan will do his best to cause us to stumble but when we show him the truth of God's word, he will not be able to compete.

By using these techniques, you will be able to confidently and more frequently overcome temptation situations. By your realization of temptation, preparation for it, and quotation of scriptures during it, you will be better equipped to use the strength that God provides in your times of need.

Summarization

Temptation, like any trial we go through, is a measurement of our dedication to God. The times when we find ourselves in temptation situations should not be looked at as a complete waste of our time. When we overcome a temptation situation, we have become more mature in our walk with Christ! Any trial that we go through should be considered a blessing:

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4)
It is my hope that this temptation investigation has prepared you for the temptation situations in your life. When you find yourself in temptation's midst, remember the techniques of temptation evasion and remain certain that God is always there for you. For it is written that those who persevere under trial will receive the crown of life that God has promised to the ones who love Him (James 1:12).