Study 22 – No!

Paul says, 'Do not offer the parts of your body to sin' (Rom. 6:13). This is a command that we can obey. God has energised us with a new life and has given us the authority to say 'No' to unrighteousness.

'But …' you may say, '… this particular temptation is simply too strong for me. I can't help yielding to it. I'm powerless.' You are mistaken.

According to the bible, such a temptation does not exist. If you have allowed sin to come in and reign, you are sinning by choice – because you like it, not because you cannot control yourself.

You have a similar attitude to the little boy who was getting ready to join his friends by the river.

Before he left, his mother told him, 'You mustn't go in the water.' 'All right, Mummy,' he said and rushed out of the house with his bathing trunks and towel.

When his mother called him back she asked, 'What are you doing with those? I told you not to go in the water.' 'I know,' he replied. 'But if I see everyone else swimming and can't help myself, then I've got my stuff.'

One day we will all stand before god in His holiness. When He asks us, 'Was any temptation too great for you?' which of us will dare say, 'Yes, this one'? We will not argue our case before the God who has already said, 'there is no temptation too great for you.' We will bow and humbly agree with Him, 'No, Lord, there was no temptation too great for me.'

If we are going to confess it then, why not boldly confess it now? 'Lord, this temptation seems like a giant and I feel like a grasshopper but the reverse is true. I can overcome – not by my willpower but by faith in your Word. You say that I have been freed from sin. I believe it and I will act on that belief.'

You have complete authority over your body. Refuse the devil's lie, 'You'll never be free from that sin; it has a complete grip on your life.' The battle against sin has already been won. Satan, not you, was the loser.

So decide now to stop making provision for your flesh – putting yourself in situations where you might be tempted.

Say to your feet, your eyes, your hands and ears, 'No! That's not for you. I died to sin and will now allow it to reign in my life any more.'

To Meditate On

JESUS WANTS YOU TO RESIST TEMPTATION.

'The grace … teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives' (Titus 2:11, 12).

'For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh*, but through love serve one another' (Gal. 5:13 NASB).

* Not 'sinful nature' as in the NIV.

Food For Thought

WRITE DOWN sins which find expression through our eyes, ears, mouth and hands.

WRITE DOWN things which God would like us to do with our eyes, ears, mouth and hands.

You know the areas in your life where you are most likely to be tempted. Write down what you are going to do when temptation comes, e.g. When I'm tempted to gossip I will remember the exhortation to 'slander no one' (Titus 3:2).

Be Inspired

The temptation once yielded to gains power. The crack in the embankment which lets a drop or two ooze through is soon a hole which lets out a flood.
ALEXANDER MACLAREN

To Consider

We can resist temptation. What words or phrases in the following verses suggest that the battle against temptation is not always easy?

Rom. 8:13; 1 Cor. 9:27; Heb. 12:4; 1 Pet. 2:11.

To Apply

HAVE YOU felt in bondage to any particular sin(s)? If so, confess it/them to God and receive His forgiveness.

NOW PRAY that He will give you the help you need to resist the temptation to repeat that sin.

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it (1 Cor. 10:13).