Dear friend,
We are glad that you are enjoying your study of the Bible with the help of the Bible correspondence courses. We know that your understanding of the Word of God will increase as you continues your studies.
We want to thank you for your sincerity in sharing your struggle with temptation.
Since you gave your heart to Christ and claim Him as your Savior, you now have a new nature along with the old nature you were born with. The new nature wants to please God, while the old nature wants to please the flesh with its old desires. Until we see Jesus, this old nature will cause us to do things that we know will not please God. Paul tells about this struggle in Galatians 5:17: For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other; that ye cannot do the things that ye would. We are to be led by the Spirit and let Him produce the fruit that is mentioned in Galatians 5:22, 23:But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance (self-control): against such there is no law.
God tells us in His Word that temptation is common to man. He also tells us that He will do two things:
- He will not permit us to be tempted above what He knows we can bear.
- He will make a way of escape through the means He provides.
Remember that the temptation in itself is not a sin. Sin is when we give in and do what the temptation is tempting us to do. James 1:14, 15: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin, and sin when it is finished, bringeth forth death. The following Scripture portions are given to us by the Lord to help us, and to strengthen us against temptation, whether it comes from the old nature or from the devil:
Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
1 Peter 5:7, 8 Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour;
Ephesians 6:10-17 – be sure to put on ALL the armor of God.
2 Timothy 2:22 Flee also youthful lust; but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
2 Corinthians 10;4,5 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exhalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Psalm 119:9-11 Wherewithall shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to Thy word. With my whole heart have I sought Thee; 0 let me not wander from Thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.
Hebrews 4:15, 16 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
2 Peter 2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgement to be punished.
Some day, when we see Jesus, temptations will be forever past. We will then have new sinless bodies and be forever with the Lord. Until then, we must hide God’s Word in our hearts, call upon Him when we feel we are being tempted, and claim His power to make us victorious over it. He is ABLE! Hebrews 2:18 For in that He himself hath suffered being tempted, He is able to succor (comfort) them that are tempted.