Overcoming Temptation Through God's Word and Prayer

That extra piece of pie, the shiny new car, the attractive woman, the wealthy man, the latest gadget—these things can all be tempting. They might feel good for a moment, but are they really worth it? Temptations come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. They may look appealing, but ultimately, they are distractions from the path of holiness and righteousness.

Even Jesus Christ Himself faced constant temptation as He walked, talked, and lived among men. Hebrews 4:15 reminds us:
"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin."

Jesus could have sinned. He could have given up the struggle to remain holy and righteous—but He didn’t. Why?
John 6:38 gives us the answer:
"For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me."

Jesus wasn’t focused on His own desires. His eyes were fixed on the will of the Father. Likewise, temptations today try to pull us away from that same focus—from doing the will of the One who has redeemed us.

Thankfully, Scripture shows us how to respond. Hebrews 4:16 says:
"Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

In other words, we must seek God’s divine help when we face those shiny, alluring temptations. The best way to remain focused and resist temptation is to stay grounded in His Word and to pray—without ceasing.

Full transparency: I’m still working on that part—praying continually and spending time in the Word. It’s not always easy. But in the moments when I do, I’m blessed beyond measure.