In professional fighting, the competitor stays in a ready position. They are able to quickly defend or attack because their body is anticipating the move before it comes. In our spiritual lives, we have to also prepare, but we can’t physically prepare for a spiritual battle. How do we prepare? How do we anticipate what temptation might be coming?
Temptation is coming so follow the example of Christ and be ready with Scripture.
1. Be Ready for Temptation
- 1 Peter 5:8 “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
- Know Your Enemy
- Prepare Spiritually
- Anticipate Temptation
- Romans 8:28 “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
Temptation falls under the broad category of “All Things”
2. When Tempted, Respond with Scripture
- Psalm 119:11 “Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.”
- Deuteronomy 8:3 “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.”
- John 4:32-34 “But He said to them, ‘I have food to eat that you do not know about.’So the disciples were saying to one another, ‘No one brought Him anything to eat, did he?’ Jesus said to them, ‘My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work.’”