The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis
Book 1 -Admonitions Profitable for the Spiritual Life
Chapter 13 Of Resisting Temptation
Summary
We can’t avoid temptation, it is part of the reality of living here in the world. When we face temptation, one of two things will happen. You will resist or give in – no other option is available. It’s one or the other. Giving in doesn’t profit you in the long run while resisting allows you to develop character and become more like Christ.
How do you resist? You have to eliminate the temptation at its source. You can’t just resist on the outside – that will only work a couple of times. Failure will be inevitable. To successfully resist temptation you needs to be patient and longsuffering. Seek counsel of Godly friends and when asked counsel be ready to comfort and strengthen your friend. You have to control your emotions and urges and trust God. That is easy to say – hard to do. Resisting temptation reveals our strength.
Verses
1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”
James 4:7 “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
2 Peter 5:6 “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”