In 1868 Horatio R. Palmer wrote the hymn, "Yield Not to Temptation" wherein the first line is, "Yield not to temptation, for yielding is sin."

The Greek word used in the New Testament translated 'temptation' is peirasmos which means: trial of man's fidelity, integrity, virtue and an enticement to sin, whether arising from the desires or from outward circumstances.

In looking at Scripture in the New Testament which use the word "yield" in relation to sin, we find the Greek word used is paristemi, which means to place beside.   Synonyms for 'yield' are compliant and non resistant.  It is important to note that 'paristemi' or 'yield' is a verb or an action word.  Therefore, for every one of us, when we are faced with a temptation or enticement to sin, our response will come in the form of our making a decision or a choice - choosing to live by the spirit or by the flesh.

The words we speak and the choices we make reveal what is in our heart. We see this truth revealed in Luke 6:45 (New King James Version), "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks."  The word 'heart' in this verse means: the soul or mind, as it is the fountain and seat of the thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes, and endeavors.  These things are what will be revealed by the choices we make.

That behooves us to ask..."Are we feeding our spirit man with the things of God or of the flesh?"  "What are the things we love?"  "What fills our heart?"  "Where do the temptations we face come from?"  And perhaps most importantly, "What can we do to insure we can resist all of the temptations we will encounter?"

We are not tempted by God.  We read in James 1:13 (NKJV), "Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone."

Our adversary, the devil, will tempt us.  We know that the devil tempted Jesus in the wilderness according to Matthew 4:1 and 3 (New American Standard Bible 2020), "Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. ... 3 And the tempter came and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread."  Luke 4:1,2 and 13 (NASB20) also tells us, "Now Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led around by the Spirit in the wilderness 2 for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And He ate nothing during those days, and when they had ended, He was hungry....13 And so when the devil had finished every temptation, he left Him until an opportune time."  When the devil tempted Jesus, He resisted by speaking the Word of God to the tempter.  Jesus responded, "It is written..."

In the same way, we have been instructed to actively resist the devil,  1 Peter 5:8 and 9 (NASB20), "Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 So resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brothers and sisters who are in the world."

James 4:7 and 8a (NASB20), "Submit therefore to God. But resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God and He will come close to you."

Ephesians 6:11 (NASB20), "Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil."

The Word also reveals that we are tempted by our own lusts or desires.  James 1: 12,14-16 (New Living Translation), "God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him..14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. 16 So don't be misled, my dear brothers and sisters."  In verse 12, the word 'endure' means: to hold one's ground, active energetic resistance to defeat.  See, to endure does not mean to sit quietly, struggling, and hanging on till you get through something. To endure is to actively resist with the goal of defeating whatever is coming against you.  The man who endures temptation is blessed and after being tried, will receive the crown of life!  That is wonderful news!

Then, we see that a great deal of our temptation comes from the world.  1 John 2:15-17 (NLT), "Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. 17 And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever." 

We know from living in this world that we have a huge buffet of things that tempt us.  With the advances in the technological world, we find many enticements and temptations at our fingertips and in front of our eyes daily.  We have computer, cell phones, TVs, movies and advertising.  There are various forms of entertainment which can become temptations such as sporting events, boating, and shopping.  We see perversion supported by the government and are bombarded daily by the media calling evil good and good evil.  We have fast, no fault divorces, which eliminate commitment, credit for everyone, which opens the door for over spending and over-indulgences.  We find ourselves being tempted to lie, cheat, steal, gossip, and to go to places where we should not go.

A lot of the temptations to sin which we face (whether we resist or not) are easy to recognize.  However, I feel we fail to distinguish those which are subtle, devious, and have been accepted by the masses.  Too often, people's mindset is 'everyone is doing it, so I want to do it too',  or 'it can not be bad if everyone else thinks it is okay'.  It is important that we not blindly follow the crowd.  Many follow the crowd because they want to be accepted and fear rejection.  There are churches that have become so worldly they are not recognizable as those who are consecrated and set apart for God to fulfill His purpose and will.  Believers should be distinguished from the world by their love of God, dedication to prayer, and to the Word of God.

We are tempted to spend our time, money, and energy on earthly carnal things which we love.  (The honest indicator of where our heart is and of how we have fed our mind, soul , and spirit man.)

Our 'choice' to follow in the way of God and His righteousness has become more difficult.  Remember, Jesus said we would have tribulation in the world and that because they hated Him, they would also hate us.

Sadly, rather than choosing to believe and follow the truth of God's Word, many people are choosing to follow the path with the least resistance or the easiest way to go.  Rather than standing strong, when facing a crowd in opposition, many give in and submit their will to the crowd's and not to God.

Being able to be successful, in resisting temptation (which leads to sin) requires preparation on your part.  Often times, in order to make a good (instant) choice to resist when you are facing temptation, you must have determined previously that you will choose to resist whenever, the opportunity presents itself.  Romans 6:11-13a (NKJV), "Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. 13 And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God..."  Note the phrase in verse 12, "do not let sin reign in your mortal body."  The understood subject of that sentence is "You." It is very valuable for you to have predetermined this will be your response regarding every temptation that comes your way.  The will to resist, a conscious choice, and action will come from within you because of the preparation you have made.

Psalm119:11 exhorts us to "hide the Word of God in our heart that we might not sin against God."  Remember, Jesus' success in resisting in the wilderness came from speaking the Word of God which was in His heart. Having the Word of God in your heart, will give you the ability to resist.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (NASB20) reads, "No temptation has overtaken you except something common to mankind; and God is faithful, so He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it."  Praise God, for every temptation that we face, the Lord will provide the way of escape.  I want to point something out though. Our 'knowing' that the way of escape is provided does not insure our success .  It requires that we 'choose' to take that way of escape.

1 Peter 4:1 and 2 (NKJV), "Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God."  We must choose to not live for the flesh, but for the will of God.

We see in Romans 13:14 (NKJV), "But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts."  You choose to put on the Lord Jesus Christ and you make no provision for the lusts of the flesh.

Knowing that sin begins with a thought helps us see the significance of 2 Corinthians 10::3-5 (NASB20), "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not wage battle according to the flesh, 4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5 We are destroying arguments and all arrogance raised against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,"  We are to destroy...and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.

Considering the recent developments in our country i.e. obedience to mandates or losing your job, or that which will come in the future, not having the ability or right to buy or sell without a chip implanted in your body, what will you do?  When you are ostracized or face cancel culture because you believe in the precepts of the Lord and they label you intolerant, a hater, or a racist, will you be tempted to comply?  Will you stand firm on God's truth, provision, and protection?  Will you resist because you are full of the knowledge of God?

Colossians 1:9-11 (NLT), "So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10 Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. 11 We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy,"

We were never told that it would be easy to be a follower of Christ.  Matthew 10:22 (NKJV) reads, "And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved."  The one who endures (perseveres: under misfortunes and trial, to hold fast to one's faith in Christ) will receive the crown of life!

By His Word, His power, the power of the Holy Spirit in us, and our choices, we can resist and endure to the end.

If you have any questions or comments, I would love to hear from you.

Keep on keeping on.