Two Steps to Handle Temptation

by Rick Warren — September 4, 2024
From Growing in the Seasons of Life

“Accept God’s salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

Ephesians 6:17 (NCV)

If you want to successfully handle temptation, then claim the promises that God gave in his Word about temptation. Everybody ought to memorize 1 Corinthians 10:13: “God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it” (NIV).

I’ve had many people tell me, “I couldn’t help myself. It was impossible to resist. I had no choice but to give in.” When you say that, you’re basically calling God a liar. He says he’ll always offer an escape from the temptation you face. It may be tough and painful. It might even be embarrassing. But there will always be a way out. God makes sure of it! That is his promise.

Will you believe his promise? 

Satan is constantly battling for your mind. When God gives us an idea, it’s inspiration. When the devil gives us an idea, it’s temptation. You choose every day which thought you’re going to dwell on.

You can change your mind by replacing temptation with truth, and truth is found in the Bible.

The Bible says to resist the devil. How do you do that? By preparing for the temptation. Ephesians 6:17 says, “Accept God’s salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (NCV).

There are two things you need to do in order to handle temptation —

Salvation is the first step: “Accept God’s salvation as your helmet.” What does a helmet do? It protects your head and your mind, and that’s where the battle is going on. Before you can say no to the devil, you need to learn to say yes to Jesus Christ. His power comes to you through salvation. 

The second step is to use God’s Word as a sword. Truth is the antidote to temptation. You can keep your Bible on the coffee table at home, but when you don’t have it with you and you’re tempted, what good will it do? You need to get the truth found in the Bible into your mind.

Without a doubt, the single most effective tool for combating temptation is to memorize Scripture. If you don’t have any verses memorized, you’ve got no weapons for the fight! When Satan comes along, how are you going to counter him? He’s not afraid of your opinion, but he does fear the truth. The sword of God is God’s truth, but it only becomes a weapon you can use when you memorize it.

Talk It Over

  • What are some goals you can set this week for memorizing Scripture?
  • What are some memorization strategies you used in school? How can you apply them to Scripture memorization?
  • Who can be your accountability partner as you memorize Scripture? Why is it important to have someone like this?

Have you taken the first step of salvation?

God proved his goodness through his Son, Jesus Christ. The Bible says, “For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 CSB).

Are you ready to trust God to fulfill his promise of eternal life with him? If so, start by praying this simple prayer: “Dear God, I confess I have sinned against you, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ is your Son, that he died to take away my sins and that you raised him to life. I want to trust Jesus as my Savior and follow him as Lord from this day forward. Guide my life and help me to do your will. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”

If you just prayed to accept Jesus, please email me at [email protected] and let me know about it. I’d like to send you some free materials to help you start your journey with Jesus.


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