No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
1 Corinthians 10:13

The devil does not have a multitude of tricks – those around you are facing the same temptations you are. You may feel completely alone in your tests and trials, but know that many others have the same challenges and even more have overcome them with God’s help!

When you make Jesus Lord of your life, you are surrendering your spirit, soul, and body to Him as a living sacrifice, and you will face continuous temptations throughout your life that will require continually sacrificing your body. But continually choosing God over the ways of the world is a form of worship to Him! God does not allow you to be tempted beyond what you can handle – in other words, He knows that you can be victorious in the trial you are facing right now! It may feel like the devil is forcing you to give in to temptation, but he cannot cause you to do anything unless you surrender your will to him.

Know that your fight is not against people or the things of this world, but it is a spiritual war. Ephesians 6:12 says, For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. You may not be able to stop thoughts from coming into your head, but you can stop them from staying in your head. You can choose to think on Godly things and reject everything else! If a thought comes into your mind that does not agree with the Word of God, kick it out.

Like Jesus when He was being tempted in the desert, you can fight the enemy with the Word of God. When he tries to put thoughts in your head, you have the ability to recognize and reject them because you know they do not line up with the Word of God. But take care to sow the Word into your heart before you enter into the trials and temptations. You cannot fight with a weapon you do not possess – if the Word is not in your heart when the trial comes, you cannot use it in the battle.

So spend time in His Word now, and ask the Holy Spirit to make it come alive in your heart. When the trials and temptations do come your way, you will be ready to fight!