Temptation is common and inevitable. In 1 Corinthians 10:13, St. Paul writes, "No temptation has overtaken you, but that which is common to man." So the question is not whether you will be tempted, but how you will battle. Father Genard Lazar shows how to resist and overcome.
Temptation is not itself sin; guilt belongs to our consent. Satan tempts, but he cannot compel. That is why St. James says, "Resist the devil and he will flee from you" (James 4:7). If he had the power, he would not flee. In Matthew 5:28-29, Jesus exposes the chain: a look, a thought entertained, desire, consent, action. Break it early. Watch where your eyes wander when you're scrolling your phone, and remove yourself from the occasion, even if it's your best friend who keeps causing you to fall.
So write it down: when, how, and why do I open myself to temptation? Then answer Satan with Scripture, as Christ did in Matthew 4. Read it yourself, and bring your Bible to Bible study. Pray and fast (Matthew 17), and let the fast reach your mouth (no cussing, no gossip), your eyes (don't just look away at the nude scenes; don't watch it), and your ears, like the holy man who was told someone was speaking badly of him and answered, "I didn't hear it." And remember, "Bad company corrupts good morals" (1 Corinthians 15:33).
Key takeaways
• Temptation is not sin; guilt comes with consent, and Satan cannot compel
• Break the chain early: guard your eyes and avoid the occasion of sin
• Answer temptation with Scripture you actually read, as Christ did
• Fast with your mouth, eyes, ears, and hands, not just your stomach
• Stay close to people who are trying to be holy
Listen, share, and let the double-edged sword do its work in you today. Rate and review the podcast so more people encounter the living Word.
