TUESDAY The best way to overcome temptation is to simply be ready for it! Don’t let it take you by surprise. Be aware of your problem areas and decide ahead of time how — with God’s help — you will respond in a way that honors Him. Who are the people, what are the things, and where are the places that cause problems for you? Do your best to avoid them. But knowing you can’t always do that, take the time to “pre-decide”! That’s right, decide ahead of time how you will respond when faced with the people and things that tempt you to sin. Read James 1:13-15. Now think about the things in your life that “drag you away and entice you,” and ask God to give you the courage to resist them in His Name.
WEDNESDAY But “everybody else is doing it!” In some cases, this may be true. But as Christians we have to remember that “everybody else’s” choices are not the standard. Often, the choices “everybody else” is making are clearly harmful and directly opposed to what God says in His Word. As Christians, our standard should be Christ, plain and simple. Ask yourself, “If Jesus was in my shoes, would He choose to do this...or go here...or say that...etc…etc...etc.? If you follow Jesus, you’ll never, ever go wrong! Read I Peter 1:14-16.
THURSDAY Temptation can come from all kinds of places and often, when you least expect it. It can be strong — even seem impossible to resist! For example, you don’t want to go along with watching that movie, listening to that music, playing the game, etc. that your friend wants but they say if you don’t, they “won’t be your friend anymore.” Or you’re doing an internet search for school and something totally unrelated (and inappropriate) comes up. It’s there and you’re curious, so you “might as well have a look,” right? Wrong! As Christians, we have to remember that when we are tempted, God always provides us with a way out. We just have to decide what’s really important — allowing ourselves to give in and fall into sin or choosing to do the right (and often hard!) thing with Jesus’ help. Read I Corinthians 10:13.
FRIDAY God gave you an important “weapon” that you can choose to use to overcome temptation. It’s called your conscience — that little “voice” inside that speaks up to warn you when you’re being tempted. If you make the choice to ignore it and go ahead with that thing you know is wrong again, and again, and again, your conscience will become weak. Eventually, it won’t “speak up” anymore to warn you that what you’re about to do is wrong. Will you choose to use your conscience or ignore it? Read 2 Peter 1:2-4.
SATURDAY A way out. When it comes to avoiding and overcoming temptation sometimes our best option is the door. Get up and physically move away from that thing that’s tripping you up. Just do something else! Sometimes when we’re faced with temptation though, we may not have that option. You may not be able to physically move, but you can move “in your mind.” Get your mind off of that thing that’s trying to lead you astray. Don’t dwell on it! Stop thinking about it and start thinking about something good! Like what? Find your answer in Philippians 4:8.