Step 3 - Control
When temptation comes, we are hyper aware of it so that it doesn’t take root, and we believe that the power of the Spirit is greater than the power of the enemy.
But my third step in this little sequence I go through is the word Control.
And while yesterday I said that we are not about self-belief, today I want to say we are absolutely talking about self-control! The Spirit’s empowering us does not absolve us of the responsibility to have self-control. It is still up to us to do the work of resisting, we just don’t do it in our own power. We do it in great faith and trust that the Spirit is the one empowering us.
Effective Temptation Resistance Strategy: A, B, and James 4:7
It would be foolish of us to declare our trust in the Spirit’s power, and then expect the Spirit to do what we must do, to resist for us. God’s not going to magically make the temptations disappear. He’s not going to knock the spoon out of your hand. But if you believe in His power and His presence in you, you are glad to control yourself in order to honour Him.
Most people put this at the top of their resisting temptation strategy. But I’ve found it ineffective. I’ve found that if I am not being AWARE and ADMITTING that this is a problem, and if I don’t take the time to declare my BELIEF in God’s power and the Spirit’s presence in me, then it’s too late for self-control.
But when I walk through these little steps in prayer, briefly but properly, it’s easy to put down the spoon. It’s easy to have some self-control.
James 4:7 says this: “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” Do you see the order? Submit yourself to God – which is the A and B of my strategy, and then resist!
Resisting Temptation with Faith: An ABC Strategy
And Peter writes this to the early Christians: “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith,” (1 Peter 5:8–9 NIV).
Resist. Say no. Deny yourself. Have some self-control!
So whatever temptations come your way friends, go through this ABC list in your mind and I believe, like countless other Christians, you will find you can control yourself when you are acting with faith in the Spirit’s power.
And when you resist in faith, the evil one has no power over you, and you can watch in joy as he scurries away from you in shame!
