TEMPTATION … AVOIDING IT
How to AVOID temptation the easy way …
Psychology Today has an article written by Andrea Polard, PsyD. Her article has seven (7) steps listed below (parentheses mine):
1. Simplify with a Plan
2. Prioritize
3. Implement a Routine
4. Outsource
5. Satisfice (be content with good enough)
6. Replenish the Source (you)
7. Go Sideways (do the wrong thing a wee bit)
To me the advice seems powerless. Even “Anonymous” groups don’t rely on the individual’s ability. They have the alcoholic (or those with other issues) rely on a higher power. So hers is not a satisfying program because you still are allowing temptation to rule your mind and your plans; but must be GREAT because it is written by a PsyD? (A wee bit of sarcasm). She builds an entire program based on YOUR ability to deal with temptation. Isn’t THAT the problem in the first place? You can’t! That’s why you are looking for advice. Seems that her way is the hard way.
God has a much better idea.
1 Corinthians 10:13 makes it clear that you aren’t special. Your temptations are the same ones others have. However, those who follow God have an OUT built right into their salvation plan: God won’t allow any temptation to be stronger than you can handle, but will give you a way of escape. You don’t have to give in a wee bit or be satisfied with “good enough” (like that is a thing).
There are indeed more comments about how God will help you resist temptation. For one, eating a piece of chocolate may NOT be a sinful temptation. A temptation is clearly defined as something Satan uses to make you fail in your Christian walk. Nothing more, nothing less. If you are having a problem with something else, like a desire to binge on Chocolate bars, maybe use Andrea’s ideas (although I think God’s plan has much in its favor for almost any issue).
God gives you 2 simple steps to resist the Tempter in James 4:7-8a: “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you …”
However, you don’t even have to travel all the way to the New Testament to find worthwhile advice about temptations. In Proverbs 5:8 the writer tells the young men how to avoid sexual sin: “Keep to a path far from her, do not go near the door of her house …” Do not go near the door of the temptation. The door isn’t the temptation. Going near the door isn’t sinful. But if you don’t go by that door you have won most of the battle.
If you are an alcoholic, don’t go into a bar. If you are tempted by chocolate, don’t have any in the house. If you find a problem of any sort which easily leads you to failure, avoid going anywhere near it. Andrea Polard could have recommended that, but she is too educated or secular to take notice of such a simple and effective program. She could have written, “If you have a gambling problem, stay away from Las Vegas.” But she didn’t. She said, “Go sideways.” She said, “Its OK to fail once in a while (be good enough).” However, I am certain you won’t feel free from the temptation if you do a wee bit of it. So, God’s advice is “Don’t go anywhere near it.”
I’ve noticed that Christian teens often ask weird questions. “Why is it wrong to drink?” “Can’t I drink a little?” “Why is it wrong to gamble? If I plan ahead and know how much I CAN wager, shouldn’t I be able to gamble a little?” Those are the sorts of common questions they tend to ask. Some adults ask the same questions. My response is really simple: “How close to infidelity can a husband go and still be married?” Oooph! In other words, “How close to the edge of the Grand Canyon can I stand and not fall in?”
All of those are WRONG questions. The question for the married man is actually, “How close to my wife should I stay?” For the Grand Canyon visitor, “What is a safe distance to view the beautiful gorge?”
Stupid people try to find the edges. Smart people never do. Don’t go near the door to that wicked woman’s house, says the writer of Proverbs. One of the smartest persons the world ever had said that.
So, 3 simple steps to avoid real temptations:
-Avoid the “door” that leads to temptation.
-Resist Satan who lies and tempts.
-Draw near to God, because God has devised a way for you to escape every temptation if you stay close to Him.
Simple! Effective! Sensible!
Copyright 2025 Donald Whelpley
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