Ways through which to escape temptation

I believe the worst thing that can happen to a person who is spiritually strong is to fall into temptation.

The angels weep. The Saviour weeps. And God Almighty weeps as well. Falling into temptation simply means falling into sin. If unchecked, sin leads to pain.

God does not promise we will escape temptation because we have committed our lives to him. In fact from experience, those deeply in a relationship with God are the ones often to be found trapped by temptation.
Everyone deals with temptation. This does not justify it in our lives though.

Even the Lord Himself was taken to the wilderness to be tempted. Three times He was tempted, and three times He escaped it.

How?

The word of God: This is the most powerful weapon we can use against temptation.

And the devil is clever for he knows one can only be tempted in the area one is weakest. When he told Jesus to turn stones into bread, Jesus had been fasting 40 days and was very hungry.

He tried three times to tempt Him, and He did not fall in to temptation.

You will not overcome temptation if you spend your days away from the scriptures.

Reading the Scriptures means hearing from God who has a solution to every situation we may face.

You could also memorise Scriptures and speak it out at the moment of temptation, especially those that deal with your area of weakness.

Pray: It is a terrible mistake to rise from your bed or retire to bed without giving thanks to God, sending supplications to him and just enjoying His presence.

In this intimate relationship with God, temptation will come but the reality is that God will provide a way of escape. In the model prayer that Jesus gave to his disciples He taught them to ask God to lead them away from temptation.

Understand where you are most vulnerable: Not everyone is tempted in the same way. What is a struggle for one person may not be the least bit tempting to another person.

Being conscious of one’s weakness therefore means one will be extra cautious when faced with that crippling temptation.

Flee temptation: Walk away. Literally. You cannot be enjoying the company of smokers when your biggest temptation is smoking.

Temptation often comes when you find yourself in certain situations or places. Jesus commanded Satan to leave His presence.

Get an accountability friend: This is tricky though but manageable.

It is not easy to fully trust a person with your secrets.

However, there are mature trustworthy people you can share your weakness with. You need not go into details.

This person will hold you accountable by inquiring from you often enough how you are holding on. This person will pray with you and encourage you in walking the right path.