• God does not personally lead us into temptation: "Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am tempted by God'; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone" (James 1:13). But God does permit us to be tempted (Job 1:6–12) so that we can face temptation, overcome it, and become stronger: "I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one" (1 John 2:14; see James 1:12).
• No temptation is irresistible: "You can trust God to keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it, for he has promised this and will do what he says. He will show you how to escape temptation's power so that you can bear up patiently against it" (1 Corinthians 10:13, TLB).
• Whatever we experience, Jesus has been there before us. He "was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin" (Hebrews 4:15).
Helping Strategy
1. Ask if the inquirer is a Christian, one who has received Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. If he or she is not, explain "Steps to Peace with God," page 11. No one is strong enough to overcome temptation without God's help, regardless of how high his or her ideals or motives.
2. Share ways to confront and overcome temptation:
A. We must resist the tempter: "Resist the devil and he will flee from
you" (James 4:7).
B. We must submit to God (James 4:7). This we do by:
(1) Committing ourselves daily to God (Romans 12:1), and daily
confessing all known sins, so that there is no unnecessary "buildup" of temptations (Psalm 51:10).
(2) Subjecting our minds to His control:
• "Be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:2).
• "Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth" (Colossians 3:2).
(3) The discipline of prayer:
• "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16).