Resisting Temptation

I’m quite sure that growing up many were taught the following common phrase about the appetite and food.  It went something like this:  Do not rush to fill yourself with junk food before dinner, for when dinner time comes, you will no longer want to eat the good, healthy, meal.  

Likewise, I think we can all agree, you can’t be tempted to devour a bag of chips, after eating a well repapered, three course meal.  

Similarly, it is with our inner man. 

In our previous post, Hunger Satisfied, we concluded that we have, abiding in us, two natures: carnal and Christ-like.  I like to look at them as tendencies, desires, or type of cravings.  

For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. (Gal. 5:17 NIV)
 
Notice the word desires
 

Scripture clearly teaches us that if we satisfy one of the two desires, we will automatically loose interest in satisfying the other.  Just as eating junk food prior to mealtime, will cause a loss of appetite for a nourishing meal.  

And the ability to resist our sinful desires, only comes with choosing to satisfying our Christ-like desires. Just as eating a healthy meal prior, will give us the ability to withstand the craving of a bag of Doritos.

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. (Gal. 5:16 NIV)
 
Also see NLT translation

So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.
 
We have already identified, in the previous post, that our Christ-like (Spirit) nature craves a living word from God.  Choosing to be led by the Spirit, is choosing to satisfy the desires of the Spirit, in the seeking out of his word.  

Jesus taught his disciples,

… watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation…(Matt. 26:41 NLT)

Watching and praying, is in fact waiting on God, and seeking his presence.  Again, we are tempted and led astray in the areas of our carnal desires. 

…Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away…(James 1:14 NLT)
 
Therefore, if we want to utilize our God given ability to resist temptation, we must make seeking him, our daily, number one priority.  
 
I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread. (Job 23:12 BSB)
 
 
He has placed in us spiritual desires, so that we can be satisfied to the fullest capacity, by his presence, and so that no carnal pull or craving will have the ability to “entice us” (lead us away).
 
Entice: attract or tempt by offering pleasure or advantage (per google)
 
 
Let’s look at a small exert by the psalmist when he speaks of Israel’s rebellion in the wilderness:
 
 First, they experience a spiritual victory…
 

Then they believed His words; They sang His praise. (Ps. 106:12 NKJV)
 
 Then, they forgot how he works, and how he had attempted to teach them to wait on him to satisfy all their desires…
 
They soon forgot His works; They did not wait for His counsel: (vs 13)
 
So by default, they began to be led (pulled away) by their carnal desires…
 
But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, And tested God in the desert. (vs 14)
 

Continuously waiting on God, is what separates believers from the rest of the world.  They are no longer under the influence of their carnal nature, which pulls them to sin, but are led by his spirit, and marked as true children of God.  
 
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. (Rom. 8:14 NLT)
 
 
 
The moral miracle of redemption is that God can put  a new nature into me through which I can live a totally new life.   

                                -Oswald Chambers
 

 
 
Supporting texts
 
For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. ( Tit. 3:3 NKJV)
 
 
Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods.  But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? (Gal. 4:8-9 NIV)