A Question on Fighting Temptation

A Question on Fighting Temptation

Question: I’ve heard you talk about four areas of temptation and responses to fight them; what are they?

In my book Conformed to His Image I discuss that each person has his or her own unique “flesh signature” (i.e., people are tempted in different ways and degrees). This discussion is found in Facet 10 (“Warfare Spirituality”), chapter 27 (“Warfare with the Flesh and the World”). (Print, e-book, and audiobook versions of this book are available.)

For many men, there are four especially common temptations for which I’ve devised responses, or affirmations, to summon up in the moment. These aid me, with the help of the Holy Spirit, in resisting. (These are explained in greater detail in the above-mentioned chapter.)

  • Temptation to Anger — Gratitude (I cannot be angry and grateful at the same time)
  • Temptation to Seek Revenge — Grace (I was given grace, not justice)
  • Sexual Temptation — Glory (of the maker and the image-bearer)
  • Temptation to Covet — Goodness (God has given me what He knows I need)

Download a printable card of these “four G’s” here.

For Further Exploration:

Related Posts

Image of the crucified Christ

The Seven Last Words of Christ

These are the last recorded statements of Jesus Christ before His death on the cross. Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing. (Luke 23:34) When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and

The Ocean of Eternity

Mortality and the purpose of life are prominent themes in Thomas Cole’s paintings. Through his paintings, he vividly brings out the human dilemma of mortality, a dilemma we ourselves must wrestle with. Given the inevitability of death, what are we to do with our days? We can try to stave

The Five Loves—and the Highest of These Is Agape Love

In the article below, Dr. Boa synthesizes material from several teaching sessions from his series Biblical Principles for Marriage and from portions of his spiritual formation text Conformed to His Image (primarily from chapter 18, “Holistic Spirituality”). Dr. Boa focuses on agape love as one of the five forms of loves (based on the different Greek words). After reviewing all forms, he gives reasons for why agape is the greatest.