resist temptation

1. Be on your guard. Expect temptation. Benjamin Franklin was wrong when he said, “In this world nothing is certain but death and taxes.” There’s at least one more certainty: temptation.
2. Hit back at temptation quickly. The biggest danger in temptation is entertain­ing it-wallowing in it and telling yourself how much fun evil is-instead of dealing with it. It’s like playing with a lion cub. It might be fun for a while, but it soon grows up, turns on you, and tears you to pieces. Notice that the account of Jesus’ tempta­tion in Matthew 4 seems to indicate that he responded to each temptation quickly ­as in immediately!
3. Submit to God. You are wise to get to your knees and submit control of the situation to God. It’s not enough to tum from the temptation-you must also tum to God. Tell him about your temptation and ask him for the help he is willing and able to offer: “Since he himself has gone through suffering and temptation, he is able to help us when we are being tempted” (Hebrews 2:18).
4. Resist the devil. Once you recognize a temptation and ask God’s help in over­coming it, put your running shoes on and get out of there! Resist and rebuke the devil, and claim victory in the name of Jesus Christ.
5. Say thanks. And once God has helped you overcome, don’t forget to praise him for keeping his promise, because “he will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can’t stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

(http://www.josh.org/resources/daily-devotional/todays-youth-devotional/)

James 4:7-10New Living Translation (NLT)

7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. 9 Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy.10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.