Say “NO!” when the enemy says “GO!”

When Satan came to Eve in the form of a serpent, he knew exactly what he was doing.  He didn’t look slimy and ugly, and he wasn’t unkind.  He was BEAUTIFUL, and his words were smooth.  So of course Eve talked to him!  Why wouldn’t she?  That was her first mistake.  She engaged in a conversation with someone who was twisting her own words AND adding words to what her heavenly Father had said, placing questions and doubts in her own mind…..something she had never experienced.  She began rationalizing:  Why wouldn’t God want her to know all that she could? That doesn’t sound so bad, right? So what did I learn from this?  That when temptations come, and they will (over and over again!), I need to be armed with Bible verses that will help me say “No!” when the enemy says “GO!”  We won’t always be tempted with a sin that makes us say “What?!  OMG!  I would NEVER do that!!”  Temptations usually come at us looking not so bad.  Then we begin rationalizing…..”I’m not hurting anyone by doing this”… “It’s not that big of a deal”… “I’m just having fun”…

Here are some verses that have helped me thru temptations.  Feel free to post additional verses that have helped you!

Psalm 119:10-11 “I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”

2 Timothy 2:22-23 “Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.”

Colossians 3:2 “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

Psalm 73:25-26 “Whom have I in heaven but you?  And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

James 4:7 “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”