Temptation in the Life of Jesus
You’re Not Alone [For Freedom — Porn Resource Pt.5]
Note: This series was originally written as a group resource to be read and discussed over a period of several weeks. If you’re reading this alone, I pray that it helps you, but I encourage you to go through it with someone.
Read Luke 4:1–13.
What Temptations Do You Face?
The devil is not creative. The temptations you face now (and in the past) are likely the same temptations the devil will use in the future, with slight variations.
Write down all significant temptations you have ever faced, even if you think you’ve defeated them. Circle any current ones.
What Is the Opportune Time in Your Life?
After the devil tempted Jesus and failed, he did not give up. He promised to return at the “opportune time” — when Jesus was weakest. The devil will not give up on you either.
At Jesus’ weakest moment — as He hung on the cross — the devil returned and tempted Jesus to save Himself (Matthew 27:42). But Jesus resisted the devil by dying on the cross and defeated him by rising three days later. Jesus is victorious, and so are you. The cross saves you and me from the penalty and the power of sin.
“For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted…For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are — yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 2:17–18, 4:15–16 NIV, emphasis added)
When are you weakest and vulnerable to the devil’s temptations? What conditions set you up to fail? What are your triggers? What things stimulate you sexually?
Common Triggers: boredom, exposure, loneliness, opportunity, stress, tiredness, rejection, past trauma, staying up too late, keeping your phone/laptop within reach of your bed.
Build a Wall
You can’t be porn-free just by cutting out porn and keeping everything else the same. You must cut out triggers and avoid “opportune” times, even if those things are not inherently bad. Stop comparing yourself to others. Everybody has different vulnerabilities. Just because somebody else can do it without temptation doesn’t mean you can.
Are you willing to do whatever it takes to be free?
Stop flirting with evil; start running from it and everything associated with it.
What tempts you? Even if it’s rare, cut it out. Avoid it. Stop trusting in your ability to say no. The easiest path to having greater “self-control” is to avoid situations that require it. You will need to say no to some good things (and you will miss them), but are you willing to do whatever it takes to be free?
“Some of the steps that follow may not be easy for you, but the ones you find the hardest will likely prove to be the most important. What is freedom worth to you? If there are things you aren’t willing to give up to get it, you need to reevaluate your priorities” (John Bevere, emphasis added).
Sometimes you might feel helpless or even hopeless; you are not. You know how the devil will tempt you. You know when the devil will tempt you. Don’t be unprepared; build a wall; fight back.
TIP: Memorize entire passages of scripture (i.e. Psalm 1) instead of single verses. This requires more focus to recite and thus is more effective at reorienting your mind (see resource, “The Power of Memorizing and Meditating on Scripture”)
How can you equip yourself for (or avoid entirely if possible) those triggers and moments of vulnerability?
Exercise // Am I Willing?
Sit down with Jesus, and write down every trigger and opportune time in your life. When are you weak and vulnerable? What are the things that tempt you or lead you down a road of temptation?
Answer this question, “Am I willing to do whatever it takes to cut those things out of my life?”
