Resisting Temptation During Quarantine
Temptation during Quarantine.
Let me start out with saying that you are not able to fight temptation by merely “seeing what happens” and “trying your hardest.” You’re just not. This is a hard time. Being home for a lot of people is their biggest trigger. So I want to help equip you during this.
I’m going to give you some tangible tips to fight temptation.
Be in the Word.
Sounds simple right? For the most part it is. But make sure you are reading scripture with the right perspective. The perspective that says, “Because Jesus died and rose again, I take refuge in His victory.”
Paul writes in Ephesians 6:10-20,
“10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.
16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;
17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel,
20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.”
You guys. Scripture is how we fight off the enemy. Declaring scripture and the power of God is how we fight off the enemy. Don’t try to come at me saying it’s not enough. Take a look at how Jesus fought off temptation in the desert. Read Matthew 4 to see how Jesus did it.
You want to walk free from sin? Cling to scripture.
Phone Call with a friend daily.
If you have an iphone, do facetime. If you don’t, do a phone call or zoom call. This is important. It’s easy to isolate yourself in general, but especially when you are forced to stay home.
During the call, don’t just talk about irrelevant things, make your time worth it. Make your conversations about what Jesus is doing in each of your guys’ lives. What you guys are lacking in. What you guys are doing well in. Celebrate small things. If you don’t already (highly recommend) make a list of things you want to accomplish while being trapped in your house and celebrate those with your friends as you get them done.
We were born with the need of human interaction and connection with other people. Talk about how you guys can be praying for one another. Most importantly, be honest and transparent with where you are. Allow your friends to have the opportunity to challenge/ encourage you.
When you don’t have connection with people, you will feel lonely. A lot of people will turn to sexual sin to feel fulfilled but it will not last. Trust me. It will not last. It’s just a hit of a drug.
Increased Prayer life.
To be honest, a lot of us don’t even pray. This is actually horrible. No judgement, just calling us higher. We need to pray. We need to be speaking to our Father. Our friend. If we aren’t, how do we expect to have a relationship with Him?
By praying, it will help you in so many ways. A lot of people have bought into the lie that it’s selfish to pray for self, but it’s not. Matthew 26:41 says, “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Our flesh is weak, but God’s spirit in us is wildly strong and so willing. So stop walking according to what your flesh wants and walk in the spirit. In strength, power, and self control. Practice this by praying for help. God doesn’t expect us to be strong. He expects us to be dependent.
Text some friends and ask how you can be praying for them and let them know how they can be praying for you. 1 John 5:14, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.”
Don’t watch shows that trigger you.
Yep. That includes that show that you really like. But if it leads you into stumbling, delete it.
Same thing goes with youtube videos, music, movies, and maybe even people. If it leads you to temptation, get rid of it. The word says time and time again to flee from temptation.
I get questions all the time, “well how far is too far?” and I say, you shouldn’t even want to get close to it. It’s like if there was a collapsing cliff nearby, you wouldn’t say “ I am going to get as close as I can to see what happens.” No. You would run the other way so you didn’t get hurt.
Google’s definition of flee is, “run away from a place or situation of danger.”
2 Timothy 2:22, “So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.”
1 Corinthians 6:18, “Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.”
1 Timothy 6:11, “But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.”
James 4:7, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
I love that James verse. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. This is a promise, not a good possible outcome. It’s a promise that when you resist the devil, he will flee. Because Jesus is victorious. And when you take refuge in Him, in His name, and His word, you are victorious.
Psalm 46:1 is one of my favorite go to verses when I am tempted. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
Call upon the name of the Lord, my friend. And the enemy will flee.