When you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
Something we all need to keep in view, especially when we are under attack from the slings and arrows of the evil one is this – greater is the power in us than any power that comes up against us! In other words, God will never allow more to come up against us than he puts in us to faithfully handle it. We simply cannot say, as the 70’s comedian Flip Wilson liked to say, “The devil made me do it.” So, what is God’s ordained WAY OUT of the temptations we are facing? Let’s take a brief look at two simple principles.
#1. The Principle of Resistance
When James tells us to “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7), he is setting forth the principle of resistance. When Jesus raised us from death to life, He gave us a new power in which to operate our lives . . . the Holy Spirit. In the power of the Holy Spirit, we are able to fight back in our desire to be faithful to our Lord. Throughout the New Testament, we see the Christian life described as a “fight” or “spiritual battle” against the forces of evil and darkness in this world. Paul likens the believer to an athlete in competition and a soldier in battle. Both are actively engaged in the hopes of achieving victory. They are not passive and they are not powerless and they are called to pursue victory in the strength of their Savior.
#2. The Principle of Refocus
It’s important to understand that the Scriptures tell us to “resist the devil” not “temptation.” To resist temptation is to try to resist a thought and that simply does not work. In fact, it intensifies it. In his sermon, The Expulsive Power of a New Affection, Thomas Chalmers rightfully observes that we cannot simply stop thinking about something that has attracted our affection. Rather, we must replace it with a “new affection” which is The Principle of Refocus. Notice how Paul frames out this “new affection” – “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Philippians 4:8). And of course, all of this can be summed up in one word . . . JESUS. Remember, we naturally move toward what we focus our attention on so the more we focus on Jesus, the more we will move toward Him.
So, where in your life right now do you need to activate The Principle of Resistance? What will it cost you if you don’t? Regarding The Principle of Refocus, when you are facing any kind of sinful struggle, shift your focus to Jesus in prayer, His Word, and through the trusted support of a brother or sister in the Lord, knowing that when you are tempted, God will provide a WAY OUT if you go looking for it.
This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!
