"What To Do When
The Devil Tempts You To Do Wrong"

A Lesson by
Rev. E. Ray Shutt, Minister of Evangelism/Bus Director
Berean Baptist Church, Winston-Salem, North Carolina

“What Should I Do When the Devil Tempts Me To Do Wrong…?”

This is a question that many people ask, but not many people find an answer to! And the reason they do not find an answer is because they are looking for the answer in the wrong places.

We must first of all understand that we ALL will be, sooner or later, tempted by the devil to do wrong! There is no one that is able to miss this!!

Jesus was even tempted by Satan (see Matthew chapter 4, Mark chapter 1, Luke chapter 4), “…yet without sin...” as we read in Hebrews chapter 4, verse 15.

Let’s read two verses that I believe will be a help to you in this matter….

Hebrews 4:15 “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”

Hebrews 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

Now, let’s look at this….

I        : God Understands….

-         …that you have temptations

-         …that you need an example to follow through those temptations

-         …because He too has been where you are! (see Matt. 4, Mark 1, Luke 4)

II       : God Gives….

-         …a place of refuge for us when we are being tempted (vs 16a)

-         …us encouragement to seek Him boldly when in need (vs 16a)

-         …us direct access unto the throne of Grace

-         …us results when we come to Him…

o       Mercy

o       Grace

III      : God Expects….

-         …His children to be tempted by His enemy

-         …His children to trust His experience with this enemy

-         …His children to come to Him for help in dealing with this enemy

-         …His children to rely upon His Mercy and Grace to have the Victory over this enemy

Yet, many Christians fall “prey” to the devil’s temptations and wicked devices because they refuse to seek God’s power to overcome the “Wicked One”. And because we, as Christians, are NO MATCH for the adversary of God, we fail because we do not have the power of God in our lives to be “Overcomers” and because we have not put our faith and trust in Him to get us through the temptations!!

Here are some simple rules to follow, from the Word of God, that will help us to be true “Overcomers” when we are being tempted by the Devil to do wrong…

Psalms 119:11 “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”

* * * * *

Proverbs 28:13 “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.”

* * * * *

John 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

* * * * *

1 Corinthians 10:12 “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”

1 Corinthians 10:13 “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

* * * * *

Ephesians 6:10 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.”

Ephesians 6:11 “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”

Ephesians 6:12 “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

Ephesians 6:13 “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

Ephesians 6:14 “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;”

Ephesians 6:15 “And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;”

Ephesians 6:16 “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.”

Ephesians 6:17 “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:”

Ephesians 6:18 “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;”

* * * * *

Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

* * * * *

Hebrews 2:18 “For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.”

* * * * *

Hebrews 4:14 “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.”

Hebrews 4:15 “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”

Hebrews 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

* * * * *

James 1:2 “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;”

James 1:3 “Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.”

James 1:12 “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”

James 1:13 “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:”

James 1:14 “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.”

* * * * *

James 4:7 “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

* * * * *

1 Peter 1:6 “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:”

1 Peter 1:7 “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:”

* * * * *

1 Peter 5:7 “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”

1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”

1 Peter 5:9 “Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.”

* * * * *

1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

* * * * *

1 John 4:4 “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”

 * * * * *

Jude 1:24 “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,”

Jude 1:25 “To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.”

Now, take the Word of God and hide in your heart, so that when the devil does tempt you to do wrong, you have power through God's Word to overcome that temptation and live Victoriously for the Lord Jesus Christ!