Scripture teaches that Satan does not show partiality in his efforts to tempt and trip men and women, husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters to yield to and follow his deceptive attempts. The devil is constantly walking about, constantly roaring like a lion, constantly seeking whom he may devour (1 Pet. 5:8). He’s still using the same tools that he’s been using since the beginning—“the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” (1 John 2:16). So, what are we to do? How can we thwart his efforts?
Watch. “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation” (Matt. 26:41). Peter tells us to “be vigilant” (1 Pet. 5:8), meaning “to be watchful,” “to be on alert,” “to be awake.”
Test. “Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God” (1 John 4:1). “Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil” (1 Thess. 5:21-22).
Hate. “You who love the Lord, hate evil” (Psa. 97:10). “I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; And I hate every false way” (Psa. 119:128). “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil” (Prov. 8:13). “Do not love the world or the things in the world” (1 John 2:15).
Resist. “Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (Jas. 4:7). “Resist him, steadfast in the faith” (1 Pet. 5:9). “Flee also youthful lusts” (2 Tim. 2:22). “Abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul” (1 Pet. 2:11). Do not “give place to the devil” (Eph. 4:27).
Repent. Unfortunately, there will be times when we succumb to the tempter’s tenacious taunts and allow ourselves to be “drawn away by [our] own desires and enticed,” leading us “to sin” (Jas. 1:14-15). When that happens, godly sorrow ought to fill our hearts and lead us to repent (2 Cor. 7:9-10). “Repent therefore of this your wickedness” (Acts 8:22).
Pray. “Do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” (Matt. 6:13). “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation” (Matt. 26:41). “Pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you” (Acts 8:22). “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
Satan might be persistent, but he can’t “make us” do anything against our will. May we receive encouragement, strength and greater determination with the knowledge that we can overcome, “because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).