Greg Laurie - Thursday, August 30, 2018

The Key to Resisting Temptation

Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

—James 1:12

I often overfill the hard drive on my computer because I never throw a photograph away. I have so many pictures of my family, especially my grandkids. I keep them all. Every now and then when I’m trying to open a document, a little message pops up on the screen saying the hard drive is full. I have to empty the trash and delete a few things.

Wouldn’t it be great if our minds were so full of the Word of God that when the Devil comes with his enticements, he would see a little sign that says the hard drive is full?

Temptation generally comes to us in the mind. It comes as a thought. It sort of knocks on the door of the imagination. It has been said that you can’t stop a bird from flying over your head, but you can stop him from building a nest in your hair.

The key is to know the Word of God. In fact, it’s a great thing to memorize the Word of God. The psalmist said,

“Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You” (Psalm 119:11 NKJV).
When the devil tempted Jesus in the wilderness, Jesus responded by quoting Scripture. He occupied ground that every Christian can occupy. Jesus shows us how to resist temptation—and yes, temptation can be resisted.

The Bible says, “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him” (James 1:12 NKJV).

Temptation can be resisted. The word blessed used in this verse means “happy.” If you want to be a happy person, then guard your mind. Say no to temptation, and say yes to God.