“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37, CSB)
There is an old philosophical question meant to stump even the wise. “Which came first, the chicken or the egg?” We often employ a similar concern when we talk about temptation and sin. Obviously, temptation comes first. But it is not our sinful nature that makes us susceptible to temptation.
The first temptation happened before sin entered the human experience. The serpent tempted Eve before knowing good and evil. The Bible tells us that Jesus himself was tempted “For since he himself has suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.” (Hebrews 2:18, CSB) Being tempted is not a sin, but it can quickly lead to sin if given room in our hearts and heads.
The promise above is that through Christ, sin is already conquered in our lives. That doesn’t mean that we are incapable of sin, but that through Christ we are able to conquer the temptation and avoid sin. The Bible tells us “Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7, CSB) John reminds us, “You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4, CSB)
We are all tempted. It’s what we do with the temptation that matters. “But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desire. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death.” (James 1:14–15, CSB) We need to learn about ourselves. Where are our soft spots when we are vulnerable to temptation? You could tempt me with a rhubarb pie, and I’d have no problem saying no. But tempt me with a cherry pie, and my mouth starts to water. We must also learn to spot when temptation is becoming a desire and when that desire is becoming a sinful action. We can turn away at any time, but it is easier to turn away when tempted than when desire is in full bloom.
The Bible promises, “No temptation has come upon you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful; he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13, CSB) Falling to temptation is not inevitable, and conquering temptation is the norm as we submit to Christ.
Other verses for this promise (Compiled by David Wilkerson)
- Romans 8:37
- 1 Corinthians 10:13
- 2 Peter 2:9
- Hebrews 2:18
- 2 Corinthians 12:9
- Luke 22:32
- John 17:15
- John 16:33
- 1 John 5:4
- James 4:7
- Romans 16:20
- Psalm 91:3
- Romans 12:21
- Hebrews 10:23
- Job 11:15
- 1 Corinthians 15:58
- Galatians 1:4
- Revelation 21:7
- Revelation 3:21
- James 1:12
- 1 John 4:4
- Promises: Often Tempted? - January 22, 2025
- Promises: Need Peace of Mind? - January 20, 2025
- Promises: When a clean life is hard - January 15, 2025
