Stop Blaming Temptation

Temptation is not a sin. Remember that Jesus was also tempted. But He refused to give in to sin. This makes Jesus the only one qualified to be sacrificed for everyone else's sins.

He's been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. (Hebrews 4:15, MSG)

Every time Satan tempted Jesus, He retaliated using God's Word. That was the only thing He relied on. When tempted to turn stones into bread: Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy: "It takes more than bread to stay alive. It takes a steady stream of words from God's mouth." (Matthew 4:4, MSG). When Satan asked Him to call to the angels to catch Him when He jumps; and when He was tempted to take all the riches of the earth, Jesus again and again threw God's Words at Satan.

And so must we follow Christ's example to use God's Word to our advantage when we are beating the enemy's temptation. Satan will not stop. He will wait for all unguarded moments and pounce on us the moment he sees one. And the only way for us to be equipped with God's Word is if we read and meditate on it daily. Your gun will be useless if it doesn't have bullets. It's not enough to know how to overcome temptation, you must be armed first. The good news is that ammunition is readily available to us: God's Word. Read it. Meditate on it. Put it in your heart. So that when temptation comes, you know exactly how to say no.

The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.(1 Corinthians 10:13, NLT) 

God loves you. Be encouraged.