JOHN 19:18 – There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them.

THEME OF THE DAY. DEFEATING TEMPTATION: FOUR WORDS TOWARD VICTORY. God’s Word tells us a couple things about temptation to sin. They are found in the Apostle Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian church – No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it (1 Corinthians 10:13).

First, no one is immune to temptation – No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. There is nothing unique to any Christian. Granted, individually, we may have areas of temptation more intense than other believers, but none are free from temptation. So, dismiss any thought that what is happening to us in the Christian life is only experienced by us. We cannot say, “No one understands what I am going through.” It isn’t true.

Another truth about temptation to sin is that we do not have to give into it. God provides a way to get out of its way – God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. But notice this way of escape is our responsibility to discern and apply.

When the heat of temptation is upon us, do not try and fight it in the strength of personal resolve. Oh, we may hold out momentarily, but the tempter, the devil, the attractions of the world, and the passions of our flesh are too strong. They will win out and temptation will bear sin. The way of escape is always by applying Biblical truth appropriate for the temptation. Read Matthew 4:1-11 and see how Jesus used “tailor-made Scripture” to defeat every temptation hurled at Him by the devil. And in today’s scripture, we find another truth to apply as a way of escape from temptation. It is found in four words – There they crucified Him.

Every time temptation whispers to our hearts, seeks entrance into our thinking, and wants to deceive us into sin, stop and remember the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus. Look temptation in its face and say like Joseph did to Potiphar’s wife when she was the temptress seeking him to commit the sin of adultery, “How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:9). And add to that this, “My Lord was crucified to empower me not to give into temptation. How could I do the very thing He died to free me from?” If we learn to approach all temptations with these mindsets, we will discover the way of escape and not bring dishonor to the Lord by fulfilling the temptation to sin.

PRAYER: “Father, when temptation lurks, help me to remember Your Son’s crucifixion.”

QUOTE: “Remember that temptation desires to get us to do what Jesus died to remove.”