Living By Faith Blog

Icon

Biblical, battle-tested, real-life help for "living by faith in the Son of God" (Galatians 2:20). — Steve Fuller

This Neglected Truth Will Help You Resist Temptation

Resist temptation?

It can feel futile.

The temptation is so strong, my faith so weak, my heart is so hard, that resistance feels hopeless.

Like a 100-pound weakling facing a 400-pound sumo wrestler.

Why bother fighting?

But there’s a truth found in God’s Word that gives you reason to fight.

Jesus will help

This is taught in Hebrews 2:18 —

For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

So every time you are tempted — Jesus promises to help you.

Really?  Every time?

How can I be sure?

The author anticipates that question.

So in the next six verses he shows how faithful Jesus is to keep His promises.

He starts by telling us  that —

Jesus is faithful to help His people, just as Moses was

Therefore … consider Jesus … who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God’s house. (Heb 3:1-2)

God’s house is a metaphor for God’s people (Heb 3:6).  So whenever God’s people needed help, Moses was faithful to help them —

  • They were slaves — Moses went to Pharaoh and worked signs and wonders until he relented
  • They were trapped — Moses parted the Red Sea
  • They were thirsty and hungry — Moses provided water, manna, meat
  • They needed instruction — Moses gave them God’s Law

And just like Moses, Jesus will be faithful to help you whenever you face temptation —

Are you tempted with discouragement.  Jesus will help you.

Self-pity?  Jesus will help you.

What about weak faith?  Jesus will help you.

Lust, or greed, or fear?  Jesus will help you.

Just as Moses, Jesus will always be faithful to help you.

But not only will Jesus be AS faithful as Moses —

Jesus is even MORE faithful than Moses, because as God He is all-powerful

For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses–as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself.  (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.) (Heb 3:3-4)

Moses was part of the house of God’s people.  But Jesus is the builder of that house.

And since the builder of all things is God, therefore Jesus is God.

So every time I am tempted — the Jesus who is ready to help me is all-powerful GOD.

This is crucial, because often when I am tempted it feels like nothing can change my heart —

  • the temptation is too strong
  • the unbelief too big
  • the discouragement too great

But Jesus is all-powerful God — so He stands before me with power to–

  • conquer that temptation
  • strengthen my faith
  • overcome my discouragement

Not only that —

Jesus is even more faithful than Moses, because as the Son He provides all we need.

Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant … but Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son. (Heb 3:5-6)

What’s the difference?  Moses was a servant IN God’s house, but Christ is the son OVER God’s house.

The servant can’t supply everything the house needs — that’s what the son does.

So Jesus as Son is over His house — ready to supply everything His people need.

Which means that whatever you need to overcome temptation — Jesus will provide it.

Need stronger faith? He will provide it.

Power over lust?  He will provide it.

Forgiveness, encouragement, endurance?  He will provide it.

Whenever you are tempted, Jesus is standing before you ready to provide whatever you need to overcome that temptation.

But why don’t we experience this?

Good question.  Let me be blunt.

It’s because we stop seeking His help too soon.

He always stands before us ready to help — but there’s two things we must do to receive His help —

  • We must pray earnestly for His help — like He prayed for His Father’s help while in Gethsemane (Heb 5:7).
  • And we must use the Sword of the Spirit — like He did when the devil tempted Him while fasting (Luke 4:1-13).

Jesus doesn’t free us from temptation while we are channel-surfing.

He frees us from temptation when we are on our face crying out for His help and praying over His promises.

When we do that — He will always help us.

In time we will feel our hearts changing — our faith strengthening — our temptations shrinking.

Behind the sumo wrestler

It’s true.  When tempted you are a 100-pound weakling facing a 400-pound sumo wrestler.

But behind the 400-pound sumo wrestler stands Jesus — who can squash sumo wrestlers with His pinkie.

So don’t just see the sumo wrestler.  See Jesus.

And fight.

Have you experienced this — or not?

I’d love to hear — leave a reply below.  Thanks.

If you know someone who is struggling to resist temptation — email it to them using the “share” button below.  Or use the other buttons to share it on Facebook or Twitter or whatever.

If you would like to receive a Saturday email summarizing the week’s posts — subscribe here.  (I will only use your email address for Living By Faith Blog communications — and you can easily unsubscribe at any time.)

And here’s some related posts you might find helpful —

 

(Picture from everystockphoto.com by brainloc.)

Category: Overcoming Sin and Temptation

Tagged:

3 Responses

  1. Debbie Vazquez says:

    I have read two of your articles, so far, and I am a fan. You truly are faithful and blessed.

  2. Glynes says:

    I am not a Sunday worshipper but believe Christ is the son of the most high, he died for my sins and will come again as revealed in Revelations.
    Every eye shall see him coming in the clouds with millions of angels. Those who believe in Jesus and believe that he died upon the cross to save every living soul will be saved and only when we have confessed our sins and departed from them will we be caught up in the air and taken to heaven with him.

Leave a Reply

Join 3,436 people who receive Living by Faith updates —

More Help for Your Faith

  • RSS Feed
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Feedback

"I just found your blog recently, and I've NEVER found such clarity, understanding and comfort before." (Sarah)

"AWESOME. Going to mangle this sin tonight with the Promises of God." (Alec)

"If I could subscribe to only one blog, yours would be it." (Lyn)

"I think you are really on to something with this blog. I don’t know of anything else like it." (Doug)

"Excellent comment. Really well put and wisdom that is strangely lacking in much evangelical thinking." (John)

"Thank you -- I needed to hear this. So clear and concise yet captivating." (Stacey)

"Such a helpful post. I’ve bookmarked it and reread it two or three mornings just this week." (Doug)