What Can I Do When I’m Tempted?

Take it to God—now

When you are tempted, remember this promise: “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful: he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

God will allow no temptation he will not give us the strength to defeat. Conversely, Satan will not waste his time with temptations he knows we can defeat in our own strength. 

So, every time you are tempted, know that you cannot win this battle without God’s help. 

Develop the reflex of giving every temptation immediately to the Father. 

Ask him for his power. 

Leave it in his hands. 

Take it to God—now.

Consider the consequences

What if you don’t?

Our secret sins will be judged by God: “God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:14).

Jesus warned us: “There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs” (Luke 12:2–3).

Our words will be judged: “I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken” (Matthew 12:36–37).

After listing all sorts of unconfessed sin, Peter declared that those who do such things “will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead” (1 Peter 4:5).

What will happen to them?

“His work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. . . . If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames” (1 Corinthians 3:13, 15).

Ungodly, unconfessed sins, thoughts, or words will be revealed at the judgment and burned away. Because heaven is perfect, these things cannot enter in—they must be burned off and destroyed.

Sin is purged and reward is lost.

When you are tempted and feel the pull to speak to God, don’t run from his presence. 

In that very second of need, run to him.