Avoiding, resisting, & overcoming temptations

Bob Russell March 29, 2024

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Simon Peter was a brave man. To draw a lone sword and attack a host of soldiers arresting Jesus was a gutsy response. Even though it wasn't God's will, we admire Peter's courage and appreciate his love for Jesus.

When all the disciples ran for fear, Peter quickly turned around and followed Jesus at a distance. Again, you have to respect Peter's boldness. He had boasted that he would stand with Jesus even if it meant dying for Him, and he seemed determined to follow through with that promise.

"But when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them" (Luke 22:55). At this point, Peter made the major mistake of overestimating his ability to withstand peer pressure. He was surrounded by people hostile to Christ, and yet he mistakenly imagined he would not be influenced.

Spiritual vulnerability

Christian people still do that a lot. We think we can warm at the devil's fire and not get burned:

– I can watch this movie without its foul language and nudity affecting me.

– I can go to that ultra-liberal college and stand firm; I know what I believe.

– I can attend that drinking and drug bash; I'm the designated driver.

– I can date that non-Christian guy and not backslide; I'll convert him.

– I can miss church once in a while; I'll pray on the golf course.

– I can visit the casino and bet a few quarters without getting addicted.

– I can be on the Internet without accountability and not get caught up in pornography again.

– I can attend that Bible study without getting sucked into the false teaching. I know the preacher warned against it, but I'm mature enough to discern false teaching when I hear it.

Most Christians seem to underestimate their ability to cope with suffering but overestimate their ability to cope with temptation. They see someone going through severe trials and say, "I could never endure that," but with the help of the Holy Spirit, they can. Yet, they overestimate their ability to cope with temptation, thinking, "I can withstand that," and they carelessly put themselves in a vulnerable position, to later be surprised at how weak they really are. The apostle Paul warned, "So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!" (1 Corinthians 10:12).

Peter deceived himself into thinking he was blending in with the devil's crowd, but he stuck out like a sore thumb. Three times within an hour, he was spotted and accused of being one of Jesus' followers, and each time he lied about it. He turned into a coward so quickly because he overestimated his strength and disregarded the warning of Jesus: "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat."

How close are you to the edge?

I remember my fifth-grade Sunday School teacher telling about a king who was looking for a new chariot driver. There were three applicants who were taken up a winding mountain road to a dangerous precipice. As a test of their driving skills, they were each asked, "How close could you drive your chariot to the edge of this cliff?" The first replied, "I think I could bring the wheel of the chariot within six inches of the cliff."

The second insisted that he could bring his chariot within three inches of the cliff. The third wisely responded, "If the king were riding in my chariot, I'd stay as far away from the edge of the cliff as I could." That's the guy who got the job.

It's a wise Christian who, knowing the Holy Spirit resides within, flees the evil desires of youth and avoids warming at the devil's fire.

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Bob Russell became the pastor of Southeast Christian Church at just 22 years old. That small congregation of 120 members became one of the largest churches in America, with 18,000 people attending the four worship services every weekend in 2006 when Bob retired. Now through Bob Russell Ministries, Bob continues to preach at churches; conferences throughout the United States, provide guidance for church leadership, mentor other ministers and author Bible study videos for use in small groups. Learn More »

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