We Can Defeat Temptation

  God does not tempt man to do evil. He does put us to the test from time to time. But the devil tempts us to violate God's will. But many times temptation can be drained of its power because we have already made up our minds that we will not sin against God and our fellowman.

  James writes, "Resist the devil and he will flee from you" (James 4:7). When Daniel was confronted with the decision to either eat that which had been set before him that would have defiled him or stand firm and be obedient to God, Daniel 1:8 tells us, "But Daniel purposed in his heart he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank." In other words, he made up his mind he would not go against God whatever might be the consequences. There he stood.

  We can fight the onslaughts of the devil if we have control over our own determination. In this way we resist the devil.