Temptation. Giving into sin. We’ve all done it, and yet, we know it’s wrong. Sin is what separates the human race from God. It is why Jesus Christ was sent to die a horrible death on the cross to pay its penalty, which in turn, made it possible for all who believe in Him to be restored back to God.

Long ago, Jesus told a woman caught in adultery to “Go…sin no more” (John 8:11) and He tells us the same thing today. But how do we combat temptation when it seems like each one has been specifically customized just for our area of weakness? Let’s take a look a few Scriptures to find an answer.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5
3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Paul makes it very clear in verse three that we cannot have victory in spiritual matters using natural techniques–-“we do not wage war as the world does.” If we are currently fighting temptation using only natural techniques, we will fail. Now the Lord is not opposed to “natural techniques,” which is precisely why He says in 1 Corinthians 6:18 to “Flee from sexual immorality.” That word “flee” simply means to run away. You can’t get more natural than that! However, the difference is that this is a command from the Lord and not just my human technique for dealing with sexual immorality. If I were to use any other distraction or avoidance technique of my own devise, no matter how good they sound, I will find myself giving into the sexual temptation. Victory over temptation only happens when we choose to obey the Lord in whatever technique He tells us to use.

We also have to remember that we’re not fighting temptation with our bare hands! Paul reminds us in verse four that our weapons are not of this world, instead, they are divinely powerful for destroying the devil’s foothold in our lives.

Understand that when Paul said our weapons are full of divine power, in the Greek language, he is saying they are full of God’s power (as the Almighty One), His might (in wealth and influence), His strength (of soul, being fortified and patient to endure calamities and trials), and His ability (know-how) to provide victory over the exact temptation that you’re struggling with right now!

Keep in mind, though, that it will still be hard work, which is why Paul uses the Greek word kathairesis to describe the act of demolishing. This word perfectly describes a demolition crew prepared to tear down a building using every tractor, wrecking crane, and explosive in their possession. Against such force, the strongholds–-the arguments and false logic–-that we use to support our giving into the temptation must fall.

Paul continues, in verse five, by describing the arguments and false logic as things that raise and exalt themselves above God’s rule in our life. These are the thoughts, that in the moment of our temptation, suggest to us that it’s okay to give in this one time because once won’t hurt anything. They’re the thoughts that puff us up by suggesting we’re strong enough to handle the temptation on our own, without the Lord. These are the arguments and pretensions that our divine weapons are able to demolish!

Paul also describes another method for dealing with these deceptive, self-exalting thoughts, and that is to take them captive! Paul uses the Greek word aichmalotizo to describe how we are to take these thoughts captive, and for good reason. This word paints the picture of a baby being captivated by bright colorful lights, or of an adult being so infatuated by another person that all other relationships and responsibilities fall to the side. It is a mind so captivated by something that it can do nothing else. Normally, this is what temptation does to us. However, in this case, Paul says to reverse it and use that same captivating power to stop that thought of temptation and determine if it submits to the will of Jesus Christ. If it doesn’t, then throw it out of your mind and don’t let it come back.

Here are some other passages that give us insight into fighting our sinful, rationalizing logic and pride in order to make all of our thoughts submit to Jesus.

According to Matthew 4:1-11, Jesus handled every temptation that the devil brought to Him in the same way. “It is written” is what Jesus said before He countered every temptation with Scripture. If our Lord used the Written Word of God as His foundation for fighting temptation, how much more should we also use it!

Although Peter was the one speaking to Jesus, in Matthew 16:21-23, Jesus saw beyond the natural to where the source of Peter’s thought came from. Jesus addressed the devil directly and immediately. What Peter said was an idea that was contrary to the will of God, and by acting immediately, Jesus didn’t allow that idea to have a place in the disciples minds or his.

Philippians 2:9-11 tells us that no other name is as powerful as Jesus’. And Matthew 28:18 reminds us that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Jesus, therefore, let us not be shy in using our Lord’s name when rebuking temptation that comes our way.

As soon as we become aware that our thoughts are defending (rationalizing, making excuses, playing up the positives of) something contrary to God’s Word, no matter how desirable it may be, we need to immediately say “no” in Jesus Name and have a Scripture to back it up. Only with the Lord’s help, we can have victory over temptation!