All of us face temptation. None of us is immune to the arrows of the enemy, and we must be prepared to reject his lures. When I face temptation, these quotes help me:
- “Temptation is so strong in our lives precisely because it’s not about us. Temptation is an assault by the demonic powers on the rival empire of the Messiah. That’s why conversion to Christ doesn’t diminish the power of temptation—as we often assume—but actually, counterintuitively, ratchets it up. If you bear the Spirit of the One the powers rage against, they will seek to tear down the icon of the Crucified they see embedded in you (1 Pet. 4:14; Rev. 12:17).”
Russell Moore, Tempted and Tried (p. 21). Crossway. Kindle Edition.
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- “Above all, Satan is sure to embrace an opportunity when we are alone, withdrawn from those whose eye would intimidate or whose counsel would restrain us . . . . And who amongst us has not found that seasons of privacy, or, at least, of seclusion from those who know us, have been seasons of more than ordinary temptation?”
Charles Simeon, The Christian, His Conflict, and His Armor (Great Britain: Christian Focus Publications, 1998), 22.
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- “Take heed to yourselves, because there are many eyes upon you, and there will be many to observe your falls. You cannot miscarry but the world will ring of it (Heb 12:1-2,Mt 5:16).”
Richard Baxter, The Essential Works of Richard Baxter. GLH Publishing. Kindle Edition.
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- “As Hebrews 4:15 tells us, by living a fully human life, Jesus experientially faced all the categories of temptation that humans face, yet He was able to face them without sinning. Thus, God not only understands our temptations, He actually sympathizes and empathizes with us about them, and through the work of the Holy Spirit, He desires to help us conquer them.”
Mark Liederbach, Chasing Infinity (Orlando: Cru Press). Kindle Edition.
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- “Each time the Enemy thrust a temptation at Jesus, He parried it with the Sword of the Spirit. It was the Spirit-prompted recollection of specific texts of Scripture that helped Jesus experience victory.”
Donald S. Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life (p. 40). NavPress. Kindle Edition.
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- “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.”
Apostle Paul, 1 Corinthians 10:13