Temptation. It’s like a cockroach that never dies. No matter how hard or how many times you squash it. It keeps coming back like it never left. Maybe you’re struggling with repeatedly falling into temptation and doing the things you don’t want to do. And you’re frustrated wondering, “Why do I keep falling for the same trick? Will anything ever change?”
Well, do I have great news for you! Jesus gave us exact instructions in Scripture on how to not fall into temptation. Do you want to know all about the what, when, how, why, and what if? If so, keep reading!
Jesus said in Luke 22:40, “Pray that ye enter not into temptation.” Jesus is calling us to pray! Prayer weakens the strength of temptation. It sounds so simple that even a baby could do it! (Ok, maybe not literally, but you get my point.) You might even be tempted to doubt, “This can’t work. It can’t really be that simple.” But let me tell you, Jesus is proof that it works!
At the last supper, Jesus knew that Simon Peter was going to be tempted to deny Him. Jesus therefore prayed that Peter’s faith would not fail (Luke 22:32). The temptation was orchestrated by Satan to get Jesus’ disciples to walk away from Him (v31). However, Jesus stopped the plan of the enemy through the power of prayer! After Peter’s denial, he repented, and returned to the Lord in full faith. See? Prayer works! Prayer that specifically targets temptation has three components: timing (when), content (how), and purpose (why). To begin tackling the topic of time, let’s discuss when we should pray.
The timing of our prayer is crucial. Usually, we don’t pray for help until we are tempted to sin. Or, we don’t pray at all. By this time, it’s too late. We can’t wait until we’re already vulnerable and ready to fulfill the lusts of sin. Consider adopting the motto, “Don’t wait! Premeditate.” We “premeditate” by planning ahead to pray before the hour of temptation. We have no idea when that hour is coming. The earliest time to pray is right now! Yes, even as you’re reading this article. “Premeditated prayer” as I call it, has been a game changer in my life. God has shown me that through prayer I stop worrying about sinning and start focusing on my relationship with Him.
So, how do we naturally “premeditate”? We make prayer our mindset. As we integrate prayer into our lifestyle, we develop a habit of being instant (steadfast) in prayer (Romans 12:12). You can pray as you wake up in the morning, in the shower, while you’re brushing your teeth, or taking a sip of your morning Starbucks. You can pray at work or school, in the grocery store, while cooking dinner, or getting the kids ready. You can pray ahead of time and at all times! If the timing of our prayer is the bread, the content is the butter. Learning how to pray is smooth and easy!
Just like everything else in life, God gives us a “how to” in Scripture. Jesus provides the model for prayer in Matthew 6:13.
Praise God! The Lord made prayer easy. Easy to remember. Easy to recite. Prayer isn’t meant to be some extravagant word salad we use to “impress God”. The power isn’t in us who pray but in God who hears and answers prayer. It is within God’s power to keep you. The kingdom, power, and glory all belong to Him. You can rest knowing He hears you and will answer you. Go ahead and pray right now! “Dear Lord Jesus, lead me not into temptation but deliver me from evil. For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen!” We pray that God will deliver us from evil. This is the purpose for our prayer that lights a fire under us to put on our armor and prepare to battle.
Why don’t we wait but premeditate? Because the temptation conspired against us is also premeditated. By the enemy. The Bible says that Satan attacks with devices and wiles. Devices are plots that are well thought out. Wiles are schemes or tricks intended to lure, seduce, and deceive. This is how he knows what works against you. We are fighting against “principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places” (Eph 6:12). Let me exhort you, lovely reader, it is not your body that is the problem. Your “sex drive” or “predisposition to sexual sin” is not the cause. It is merely the effect of spiritual wickedness in this world. This is spiritual hijacking and your flesh is in on it!
I have better news. God has given us weapons from heaven. If we are not fighting against flesh and blood, we can’t fight with flesh and blood weapons. “Willpower”, “positive thinking”, and “behavior modification” must be tossed out the window. Our heavenly weapons are included in the whole armor of God (see Ephesians 6:10-18). But the armor without prayer is like going out in the rain with an umbrella with holes in it. Prayer covers us. Our wise God, Jesus Christ, knows this. This is why He instructed us to pray that we enter not into temptation. You know now that God has given us the power of prayer to triumph over temptation. But doubt and fear, the two instigators from hell will come and darken your mind with questions of, “What if…?”
At the beginning of this article I stated that Jesus gave us instruction on how to not fall into temptation. I truly believe that having a mindset and lifestyle of prayer keeps us strong spiritually. It allows us to thwart the plans of the enemy before he executes them. But there will be seasons where temptations do come. They come for the testing of our faith (1 Peter 4:12). Doubt and fear will come into your mind making you worry about, “What if?” But God promises, “Even if”. Even if temptations do come, God is faithful. 1 Corinthians 10:13 promises that God is faithful to not allow us to be tempted beyond what we are able. He is faithful to provide a way of escape that we may be able to bear it.
One of my friends really edified me with this saying, “God is faithful and gracious to give us escapes during the season of temptation. He will speak to us through sermons that make us feel like the Pastor is speaking directly about our situation. God will send someone alongside us to encourage us and speak truth into us. God will lead us to an enlightening verse that suddenly carries a whole new meaning. God is faithful to bring us out of it and won’t allow us to stay in the storm for long. Temptation can strengthen our faith like no other trial can. We learn endurance so that future temptations don’t feel as consuming. And all the while, we grow in deeper love and relationship with our Savior. God is faithful.”
My dear reader, God is faithful. And unconditionally so. When we are faithless He still remains faithful. He calls us to pray. He listens. He hears. And He answers. So, don’t wait, premeditate. This time, not next time, pray!
Pure and Lovely Ministries 