The apostle Paul, without a doubt, spoke the truth when he confessed in 2 Timothy 4:7, “I have a fought a good fight.” True soldiers enjoy a good fight and when Paul took his turn in the ring the devil did not stand a chance. I am sure that the apostle Paul would have had great difficulty in accommodating those who, in the face of temptation, just lay down and let the devil steamroll right over top of them and lay them flat on their backs.

There are those in the church that even teach that it is okay to sin. In Revelation 2:14 Jesus speaks of those in the church of Pergamos who taught the doctrine of Balaam who taught Balak to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit fornication. Jesus Christ the Lord, states plainly in v.16, “Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.”

“Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?” asks Paul in Romans 6:1. He quickly refutes the question in the next verse with an emphatic, “God forbid. How shall we that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” The wimp has never applied the truth that he is legally dead to sin in the person of Jesus Christ in order to win his fight with the devil’s temptations. Many are wimps when it comes to overcoming temptation because they do not search the Scriptures to find out God’s principles on how to overcome temptation. The following are protecting principles:

1. Be alert and on your guard. Temptation often comes when least expected but prayer will keep you alert. Matthew 26:41 says, “Watch and pray; lest you enter into temptation.”

2. Be prepared to fight. Realize that you are in a battle. Take on a fighting spirit against the enemy. If you do not want to fight or you do not have a willingness to fight, you will most likely lose the battle. 1 Corinthians 16:13 encourages us to “Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.”

3. Put on your armor. Read Ephesians 6:10-18. Soldiers without amour are like sitting ducks waiting to be popped off. 

a)    Cover your loins. Know the truth and speak the truth. This will gird your loins.

b)   Cover your chest. Take Christ as your righteousness and walk in practical righteousness. This is your breastplate.

c)    Cover your feet. Prepare to witness about the good news of peace. In every situation be prepared to proclaim Christ who is the Prince of Peace.

d)   Cover your mind. “Take the helmet of salvation.” (v. 17)

 

<< Prev - Next >>