WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT TEMPTATION

1. Everyone is vulnerable to temptation— even adults. After all, temptation can take many forms.Learning to resist temptation while you are young will set you free from much anxiety now and will also prove to be a vital skill that you will need in adulthood.

2. The media fuels temptation. Movies, TV, music, and books marketed to young people often intensify those desires by conveying the impression that surrendering to temptation is acceptable. For example, if two characters in a movie are ‘in love,’ it is all but certain that they will have sex with each other at some point in the story. That means you can choose to resist temptation. But how?


WHAT YOU NEED TO DO


1. Know your weaknesses. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Likewise, your resolve to do what is right is most likely to break in the areas in which you are most vulnerable. Ask yourself: Which areas do you need to guard against?

2. Anticipate temptation. Think of situations where you are likely to face temptation. Mentally rehearse how you will resist if such temptation occurs.

3. Strengthen your convictions. The Bible says that when tempted to engage in sexual immorality, Joseph said: “How could I commit this great
badness and actually sin against God?” The phrase “how could I” shows that Joseph had strong convictions about what was right and wrong. Asking yourself “how could i” will strenghten your convictions.

4. Find supportive friends. You can remove much temptation in your life by choosing as associates those who share your moral convictions. Remember what the Bible says: “The one walking with the wise will become wise.”

5. Avoid circumstances that will make temptation harder to resist. For example:
-Do not allow yourself to be alone with a member of the opposite sex.
-Avoid using the Internet at a time or a place that might make it tempting for you to view pornography.
-Stay away from people whose speech and conduct make wrongdoing look attractive.

6. Pray to God for help. By following all these, you will be able to resist temptation.


Source: http://victoryblog.topzyhost.com/2014/09/how-to-resist-temptation Adapted from http://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/g201410/how-to-resist-temptation