One of the most needed teachings for believers today is how a Christian can overcome temptations he faces in his daily routine. Since he is in the world, he is part of it and part of a sinful existence; what systems can help him remain pure and sanctified on his pilgrimage on earth? Now let’s look at this scripture: 

According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue. 2 Peter 1:3 

The scripture above tells us that God has provided us with ‘all things that relate to life and godliness’. Our focus with this part is as it concerns godliness. ‘Godliness’ is the life of God lived out by men. So God has provided us with all things that pertain to living a life that pleases God. 

The scripture continues to tell us that these things provided are through the knowledge of him that called us to glory and virtue, which is the Lord Jesus Christ. In other words, the things provided us by God are according to our knowledge of Jesus Christ. 

So that to enable us to live a godly life, we must appreciate the knowledge of Jesus Christ and grow in him. This knowledge is not only gotten from Bible learning, but also from a walk with him. As we delve into deep fellowship and walk with God, there are things we will find out that will work for our sanctification.

I do not consider myself to have arrived, but as one granted the grace for edification of the saints, I have achieved, to some extent, this knowledge which I must now share. These things will establish a believer in Godliness; it is how a Christian can overcome temptations.

I was once a slave to sin and temptation even as a believer until I discovered grace. When I broke into the understanding and knowledge of grace, I gained mastery over a lot of things that bedevil many unto sin and iniquity. 

The general Christian view is that grace is the favour of God; many do not grasp the word grace. How do I know that I have found favour if not that the benevolences and help of God come to me? So that grace occasions the help of God. 

Grace pedestals the mercy and forgiveness that cause God not to immediately destroy those who sin. But grace does much more than provide God’s mercy; grace also provides the help and gifts of God. 

The grace that helps a sinner get saved is the saving Grace; God has helped him out of his sins. First, God convicts him; God washes him; God gifts him the Spirit; It is true we are saved by Grace. This saving grace helps us to say no to sin, overcoming temptations (Titus 2:11). To cap it all, grace means not by might nor by power but by the help of God.

One day the Spirit of God told me, unless you understand that the problem of sin was settled by grace, you will never overcome it.

Brethren, grace is the key. If a believer or anyone wants to become strong in overcoming temptations, He must know grace; he must have grace; he must grow and be strong; he must not abuse grace. 

1. To know grace 

To know grace is to know Jesus Christ, the saviour of the world. For the law came through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. This is the help God has given man. To know Jesus, and his power to save according to the scriptures, is the first step unto godliness.

2. Have grace 

This same Jesus who came with grace now lives in us, his children, as the Spirit of Grace. He is with us in our hearts, helping us in many ways. And if the Spirit of Christ lives in us, he shall quicken our mortal flesh (Romans 8:11). What is He quickening us for? To align us with godliness. 

Again, Jesus says, ” And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, (John 15:26, ERV)”. Meaning, He Himself is a helper. The Spirit in us is another help channel. Whoever has this Spirit has Grace. And this grace, if in us, is revealed in many ways, including our ability to withstand the darts of temptations and sin.

Let us look at another scripture. 

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. Ezekiel 36:26-27 

Very clearly, Ezekiel prophesied that it is by the Spirit in us that we can walk in the statutes of God, keep his regulations, and do them. Whoever is able to walk in the statutes of God and do them has overcome temptations. And all this is possible because of the Spirit in us helping us—the Spirit of help, the Spirit of grace. So the bible clearly says, only the Spirit gives life (John 6:63). 

3. Grow and be strong in grace 

Have you ever seen strong believers? One of their attributes is the ability to overcome temptation. It is very needful that a believer grows and becomes strong in grace. To grow in grace means to be strong in the activity of the Spirit of God. When the Spirit of God is heightened and his activity is so strong and eloquent in our lives, His help will also be heightened. We will begin to overcome greater tests and temptations and sin. 

This is why there are some levels of temptations which beginners and baby believers cannot overcome. Many temptations will overcome them; many sins will befall them. It will continue so until they become strong, and they grow in the grace and help of God.

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. – 2 Peter 3:18

Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus. – 2 Timothy 2:1

Now it is left for the pilgrim to make efforts to win Christ and grow in His grace. Diligence in Bible study, a strong prayer life, holiness, righteousness, obedience, and kingdom service—these things will cause the Spirit tide in a man’s life to increase, and grace will also increase for him. 

4. Do not abuse Grace 

Apostle Paul warned believers and people of the New Life. He told them, do not grieve the Spirit (Ephesians 4:30); do not quench him (1 Thessalonians 5:19). These instructions are for our safety. 

When a believer who has received grace does not yield to the Spirit by walking in the leading of the Spirit, if he conforms again to the things of the old life, or begins to neglect growth principles—that is to say he falls back in prayer, Bible study, holiness, righteousness, and kingdom service—he will die. And grace will be depleted in his life. He has thus grieved and quenched the activity of the Spirit. 

With the Spirit depleted and gone, as it has happened to many, grace and help will be lost, and one will again come under the hold of various sins and temptations. This is why and how strong preachers and powerful men have fallen into sexual sins and their hands found in many wicked abominations. Their fall started with a fall from grace. 

 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen!!!