In the Bible it says that we can overcome, just like Jesus overcame.
That's an incredible statement. Is that really possible?
More than forgiveness
What is temptation?
That is written very clearly in the scriptures, it says:
"Every man is tempted when he is drawn away by his own lust and enticed." (James 1:14)
Temptations must come through my senses, somehow.
What I see, what I hear, what I think.
Somehow I have to be drawn away.
And on that point, the Bible is very clear:
- you haven't done anything wrong because you're drawn away.
That is important to understand.
First I have to recognise that the sin is inside of me -
- that the temptations coming from inside is not the other person.
I know I struggled with that in the beginning.
I thought, if someone is really acting in such a bad way, it's their fault, not mine.
But I get irritated - it's natural to get irritated.
I remember kind of a funny example when I was quite young.
I took my dog out for a walk, and after half an hour or so, we had to hurry home for dinner.
So I called the dog, right, and the dog ran the opposite way -
It didn't want to come home at all.
And I got really mad.
And then I realised, I can't blame the dog.
He doesn't even have a human nature.
The sin is inside me. That's where the irritation and aggravation came from.
What do you have to do in temptation?
Say, "No"!
In faith and in the power of the Holy Spirit, say "No" to my lust.
You have to resist temptation -
- otherwise it will overcome you. It's like one little thought pops into your mind -
- and if you don't say "No" to that right away, it will grow and become another thought and another thought -
You have, we can say, in one sense one has a few seconds.
- where God gives me a moment of grace where I have to make decision.
That's where my love for Jesus will be tested.
You can say "temptation". What is a temptation?
A temptation is a test of my love for Jesus.
Just take envy, for example.
A little thought of envy sneaks in, and if you don't take that seriously -
- it will grow, and overcome me instead of me overcoming it.
So I have to resist temptation until it's dead.
Until that desire to be envious is really gone.
And that's a battle, it doesn't happen just in one moment.
In reality, we're talking about a life - it almost sounds like a superman's life -
- when it concerns an overcoming life. A life of victory -
- and if you and I are going to manage to live this life, then I need power.
I really need power.
I know there is some temptations -
- well - plenty of temptations that I don't have a chance of overcoming on my own.
I've had that situation quite a few times where I've tried.
Tried to be good, tried to do what was in my heart, but I didn't manage it.
And then it got to that point where I just had to, in a way, give up trying
- and get on my knees and just cry out to God: "God, You must help me! I cannot do this by myself!"
The power of the Spirit gives me that energy I need, to put it in simple terms -
- to simply resist sin.
To deny myself. Deny that desire that rises up inside.
That wants to overpower me.
But it is a power that only the Holy Spirit can give you -
- it is not something you've got in yourself.
What does victory lead to?
Victory leads to life.
To the life of Jesus. And then we become partakers of His life, of His virtues.
All the goodness, and patience, and love, and mercy, and kindness
All these wonderful virtues that become more and more our part, our portion.
What happens when you resist temptation? Do you get anything?
Yes, I get a tremendous joy. I feel very relieved.
- and unburdened, should I say, and become free from sin!
I think the more you overcome in temptation, the more hope you have for the future.
The possibilities are endless. God can really change me - transform my life. Make it new.
That's a fantastic future to have.
More than forgiveness