Articles
You Can Resist Temptation
Martin Luther said, “You cannot keep birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair.” In other words, bad thoughts and unhealthy desires will inevitably enter your mind from time to time, but that’s not necessarily sin. It’s only when you choose to keep those thoughts, dwell on them, and act on them that you’ve done wrong. But you never have to play host to unholy thoughts. You can always drive them away.
People sometimes express guilt to me for thoughts they have had. Those thoughts don’t ever have to become sin, though. Unwholesome, thoughts entered Jesus’ mind, but he never allowed them to control him. He was tempted in all the ways we are, yet without sin (Heb 4:15). What was true for Jesus is true for us. God won’t let you be tempted beyond your ability. He will always give you a way of escape (1Co 10:13).
Imitating Jesus’ perfect example will help us defeat temptation. Like Jesus: we can pray for power and wisdom to defeat sin (Luk 5:16); we can resist Satan’s lies by knowing God’s word (Mat 4:1-11); we can deliberately choose to dwell on good thoughts (Phi 4:8); we can squeeze sin out of our schedule by filling our time with godly activities (Joh 4:31-34; Phi 4:9); we can leave the places where trouble lurks (Joh 6:12-15); and we can choose our friends wisely (Mar 14:32-34).
Don’t suffer false guilt for the thoughts that enter your mind. But be wise. Imitate Jesus’ perfect life and drive those thoughts away before they have a chance to become sin.
-Paul
