Matthew 4:10,  "Jesus said to him, ‘Away from me, Satan! For it is written: "Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only."'" Ephesians 6:17,  "Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

Think

"We don't fight for victory; we fight from victory!" Have you ever considered how often you are tempted?  If you're trying to make healthy food choices, you might be tempted to indulge in dessert. If you're trying to save money, you might be tempted by impulsive spending. If you're striving to date God's way, the temptation of lust can show up on your Instagram feed. Temptation is inevitable, but it is not all-powerful! In fact, the path to victory is clear and it is simple! (Not easy, but simple.) Jesus, as we read yesterday, completely identifies with us - including temptation. But when he was tempted, Jesus didn't cave in or cower. He fought back with a powerful weapon-and that same weapon is available to us, so victory is guaranteed! God refers to the Bible, also known as God's Word, as a sword. When Jesus faced temptation, he fought back with his sword by remembering what God said and then living it out boldly. If we follow Jesus' example, we can overcome temptation, too. When temptation rears its ugly head, don't cave in. Instead, stand up, turn to God's Word, and emerge from the fight with the faith and power to be victorious!

Act

Knowing where to turn in the Bible for a specific verse can be daunting. To make it easier, use the Bible feature in our app or bookmark a Bible webpage, and get familiar with the search tool. When you face temptation, immediately open the app or page and search for verses that will speak to your situation.

Pray

Lord, I know temptation is a part of this life. Help me, in the moments I am tempted, to turn immediately to you and your truth. Lead me away from temptation and help discover victory through your Word, just as Jesus did! Amen.