This transcript was auto-generated. 

I hope over these last few episodes I taught you a little about how Satan works and how to recognise temptation. But how would you like to know not just how to recognize temptation but how to respond to temptation when it strikes. And I want to do that giving you three scriptural tips on how to handle temptation. 

No 1, you must know the Word of God. 

There is no substitute. Psalm 119 tells us;

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path”.

(Ps 119: v105 N.K.J.V.) 

Remember in the New Testament when Jesus was tempted by Satan, he resisted by accurately quoting scripture. That is documented for us in Matt Ch 4 and Luke Ch 4 also. As a matter of fact, Satan threw three temptations at Jesus, and three times Jesus rebuked and resisted him by quoting scripture. I wonder if you know what book Jesus quoted when he resisted Satan in the wilderness, he quoted the same book three times. It was in fact the book of Deuteronomy. How much do you know about Deuteronomy? If Satan tempted, you do you feel you know enough about the book of Deuteronomy to deal with it.Stick around for the next few years and together we might indeed get to know enough about the word of God to handle Satan and all his devious ways. 

So, No 1, you must know the Word of God.

If you get to know the word of God, you can spot deception, and recognise an outright lie. It’s that simple. You see, if you know the truth it is easier to spot what is false. 

So, No 1, you must know the Word of God. 

No 2, You should pray. 

How about this as a prayer, “lead us not into temptation”

Recognise that, the opening of the Lord’s prayer. As Christians we often very good at giving God prayer lists. We are very good at asking God to, “give us this day our daily bread”. Not so good perhaps at asking God to protect us from being led into temptation. When things go wrong, we are usually OK at asking God to intervene and help us out, but maybe we should be praying more often by asking God to intervene before the situation arises. Even Jesus himself when confronted with his own suffering and death prayed that he might be able to go through what he needed to go through if it was truly the will of God. Jesus prayed before any temptation had even appeared as a way of offered him an easy way out. 

No 1, you must know the Word of God. 

No 2, You should pray. 

No 3 Don’t plan or prepare to sin.

In Romans Ch 13: 14b Paul says this about this matter”

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfil its lusts……

It like saying, if you have a gambling problem don’t go to the betting shop. Whatever your problem or temptation, then don’t make provision for the flesh. If you got that particular problem or a potential to slip up, then don’t put yourself at risk of being tempted. For example, advise to men in this day and age might be to not let your eyes to look upon things lustfully. Billy Graham once illustrated this concept brilliantly when he said; Maybe you can’t prevent the bird from landing in the tree, but you sure can prevent it building a nest there. Whatever it is that tempts you, just don’t go there. “make no provision for flesh.” I believe this extends to all kind of areas in our lives. Not just the things we hear, and the things we see. It also includes the people we hang out with. If you surround yourself by people who lead you astray or tempt you into things you know are not good for you. Don’t hang out with them.  “Make no provision for flesh….” Doesn’t that just make good sense? 

Be careful what you look at. Be careful what you listen to. But most of all be careful who you hang around with, as they will influence you greatly.  “Make no provision for flesh”. Be careful you watch on TV or look at online. Be careful which people you surround yourself with. They will have an impact you. So, “don’t make provision for flesh” It’s as simple and as serious as that! If you don’t mind, I am going to finish with an illustration. 

Someone once said, after starting my new diet, I altered my usual route from work to avoid passing the fish and chip shop on the way home from work. Then one day I accidently drove the old route and as I approached, I could smell the chippy smell wafting up the street. I felt this was no accident, so I prayed, Lord it’s up to you if you think it’s OK for me to call in for fish and chips today then create a parking place for me directly in front of the shop. And sure, enough on the 8th time around the block, there it was miraculously a parking space right in front of the chip shop. That’s what is called, making provision for the flesh. Don’t do it.