Do you know how hard it is to say no to temptation? Of course you do! You deal with temptation every single day! And it sucks! It is so hard to do the right thing when it comes to being tempted. But it is possible to do the right thing and not give in to that temptation. So, how can you not give in?
The first thing you need to do when temptation arises is to run away! You can't just stand there and hope you kick temptation's butt because it is too risky. When Potiphar's wife tried to seduce Joseph, you know what he did? He ran away. And God blessed him even when crap was happening to him. He was right under Pharaoh! That is like being vice president in America today! So, don't be alone with the opposite sex if you are being tempted to have sexual intercourse. Don't be online if you are tempted to get onto porn sites. Don't be near sharp objects if you are tempted to cut yourself. Just don't be around the temptation.
Second, you need to know who your friends are and who to listen to. Job had four different friends during the time everything was going downhill in his life. Three of his friends said that he did something wrong, God was punishing him, and he deserved what was happening to him. The fourth friend told him that he wasn't doing anything wrong and that he just needed to trust God. You know what Job decided to do? Well, he decided to listen to his fourth friend and trust in God. And God blessed him in the end. So, look around at your friends. Are they leading you the right way and telling you the right things? If you don't have the greatest of friends, I encourage you to find better friends to help encourage you to do the right thing.
Last year at school, I had to choose what friends I was going to hang out with. Honestly, I was going to look for the party people and crack heads just so I could go and have some "fun" while in college. The thing is, those aren't the people I was friends with. I gained the greatest Christian girl friends I could ever have asked for. They were completely opposite of what I was going for, but they were so much more fun and much better. I was encouraged by them to do the right thing and to keep living life. I wouldn't trade them for anything because they have helped me grow so much in every way.
Lastly, and most importantly, have a relationship with Christ. You will have a harder time if you are going it alone. God can be that help and strength when you need it. When you are being tempted, go to God and ask Him to help you out. God is always there and He wants you to go to Him. He loves it when His children need Him. You are His child and He is your Father and He wants to be there for you. So why throw away that relationship and help because you think you don't need it? It's just not worth it, ya'll! You need Him.
So, run away from the temptation, get friends that will encourage you the right way, and have that relationship with your Lord and Savior. They all work together to help you win over that temptation. And it's always a great feeling when you can overcome it.
God bless!!
Philippians 4:13
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