True believers in Christ do undergo various life experiences in the process of their pilgrimage on planet earth. Many of such experiences are interesting while some are seen to be hard, difficult and would rather not be experienced.
No matter how people react to them, God allows them for believers benefit. While the devil tends to rejoice for making true believers pass through temptations, the Almighty God allows such his own glory. It should be borne in mind therefore, that God does not abandon Christians in the wilderness of temptation.
He is always around guiding and guarding us his children through the tunnel till we see the way out.
Temptations are common to all believers and are not avoidable. Just as man cannot stop birds from flying above his head, so is temptation. However, as man can stop birds from perching on his head, even so can he overcome temptation by the grace of God, to testify, glorify God and encourage other brethren with the experience he acquired. Our Lord Jesus Christ was tempted, thereby giving us an example of how to overcome.
WHAT IS TEMPTATION?? (1 COR. 10:13; HEB. 2:8; JAM. 1:2-3,12).
Temptation is a situation where a believer is exposed to any circumstance that could lead him to sin, if wise and Godly actions are not taken early enough.
Temptation itself is not sin but could lead to it if the right steps are not urgently taken to overcome it. If any ungodly thing is done during the process, it becomes a yielding or compromise of faith, also termed a fall. If a matured godly action is exhibited however, the believer is said have overcome. In such instance, God's name will be glorified, the heavens would rejoice, the believer promoted while the devil will gnash his teeth in regret of his failure.
The number of times believers go through temptation is not determined by anyone. The devil plans and executes them if God- the believer's father allows or approves of it.
It is a must experience to all believers and comes in divers ways, times and means the devil wants to use. But we are not ignorant of his devices and are well equipped to overcome all his manipulations prayerfully, while standing on the promises of God that cannot fail.
WHAT ARE THE SOURCES OF TEMPTATIONS TO BELIEVERS?? ( MATT. 4:1; GEN. 3:1-6; JOB 1:12; JAM. 1:14; PROV. 1:10).
Though it is true that our loving God at times tries the believers faith; it is not aimed at making such one deny the faith or indulge in deeds that will not glorify him.
It is the devil who usually wants to tear the believer apart with a view to making him derail, backslide and return to sin. Though temptations are majorly the brain child of the devil, some believers disposition at times lead them into being in some wrong places open to temptations. Such avoidable places and dispositions get them entangled with circumstances of struggle with sin from righteousness which if not handled prayerfully, may see the believer on the devil's end.
Anyone who stays in where he could be tempted must be tempted and may fall no matter how mature in faith he is.
WHAT ARE THE BELIEVER'S VICTORY OVER TEMPTATIONS THROUGH THE FOLLOWING:
1.Appropriate use of God's word. (Matt. 4:1-4, 7-10).
When believers speak the word of God appropriately addressing the circumstances they face, they win the devil and rejoice. There is limitless power in the word of God and the word is able to conquer all problems.
2.Watching and praying always leas to victorious christian living (Matt. 26:41; 2Thess. 5:17; James 5:14-18).
Prayer changes things and the effectual fervent prayer of the righteous availeth much. We must not faint but continue to pray to God.
3.Fleeing from anything or act, that could lead one into committing sin. (Prov. 4:14-15; 2Tim 2:22).
Joseph physically ran out of temptation of committing adultery losing his garment and freedom temporarily and was promoted after he had be wrongly imprisoned.
4.Believers should and must daily resist the devil in all circumstances as God enables.
Though the devil is stubborn but persistent resistance of his tricks leaves him grumbling away and the believer victorious. (James 4:7).
5.Accepting the ways of escape God makes available to believers in times of trouble.
A watchful believer will always see the escape route God has made available for him. (1Cor. 10:13).
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF OVERCOMING TEMPTATION?. (REV. 2:7, 21; JAMES 1:12).
The believer will be promoted by God for passing the test set by the devil. He will become stronger in faith and Godliness, and receive answers to his prayers, and remain unmovable by God's grace.
All true believers who will overcome temptation and continue to live well in Christ will make it to heaven and enjoy the promise of God.
So in order for us to enjoy all the benefits above, we have to overcome temptations and God helping us, we will.
