The Three F's

James 1:14 (KJV) says:

But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

Temptation means to be drawn away, and we are all tempted by the enemy at one time or another. How do we overcome temptation? Here are some strategies from the Word of God.

1. Prepare ahead of time. Before temptation comes, decide that you are not going to give in to it. I Peter 5:8-9

2. Don’t put yourself in situations that you know will tempt you. Proverbs 2:11

3. Put the Word of God in your heart and mind so as not to sin against God. Psalms 119:11, Psalms 37:31

4. Renew your mind daily with the Word of God so your thinking is not conformed to the world’s way, but transformed to God’s way. Romans 12:2, Ephesians 4:21-27

5. Cast down wrong thoughts and replace those thoughts with the good thoughts based on the Word. II Corinthians 10:4-5, Philippians 4:8, Romans 8:5-6

6. Speak God’s Word when tempted. Matthew 4:1-11

7. Pray not to enter temptation. Matthew 26:41, Mark 14:38

8. Present your body to God and not to sin. Know that your body was not made for sin but to glorify the Lord. Yield to God, not sin. Romans 12:1, I Corinthians 6:13, Romans 6:1-2, 14

9. Have godly friends to hold you accountable and to strengthen you. There is strength in numbers. I Peter 5:8-9, Ecclesiastes 4:12

10. Come to Jesus for help. He faced the same temptation, and He will help. Hebrews 4:14-16, Hebrews 7:25

11. Overcome by the blood of Jesus Christ. Plead the blood over your mind and body. Revelation 12:11

12. Overcome by the Holy Spirit. Zechariah 4:6, Galations 5:16-18, 22-23, 25

13. Use your will to do God’s will. Matthew 26:39,42, Hebrews 5:7-9

The bottom line is that we should all adhere to the three F’s:

• Flee sin. I Timothy 6:11

• Follow righteousness and godliness. I Timothy 6:11

• Fight the good fight of faith. I Timothy 6:12

We can be victorious over temptation. We simply must be alert and persistent in resisting it.