Christian Stress Management: How to Flee Temptation

The stories of Jesus, Joseph and Eve of temptation in the Bible can teach us the following tips on how to flee temptation:

1. Redirect your Eyes

When the devil tempted Eve with eating the forbidden fruit, Eve was unable to resist the temptation because When Eve saw that the tree was GOOD for food and that it was PLEASING to the eyes and a tree DESIRABLE to make one wise, she took its fruit and ate it. (Gen 3:6)

Therefore, when you find yourself in a tempting situation, stop looking at the temptation. Direct your gaze to another part of the place you are in so that the temptation does not begin to appear good, pleasing and desirable.

2. Redirect your Mind

When the devil tempted Jesus in the wilderness, Jesus quoted Scriptures and He was able to resist the temptations successfully. Thrice Jesus said "It is written" before He quoted the relevant Bible verses. (Matthew 4:1-10)

Therefore, when you find yourself in a tempting situation, redirect your mind from the temptation and direct it to what is written in the Bible about the specific temptation you are facing. In other words, stop thinking about the temptation and start thinking about what God's word says.

For example, in Eve's situation she could have directed her mind from the fruit and redirected it to what God had told them about it which was You shall not eat it and you shall you touch it (Gen 3:3)

Other Bible verses of fighting temptation that you can use include:
No temptation has overtaken me except those which are common to man. But God is faithful and He will not allow me to be tempted beyond what I am able to bear because with each temptation there will also be a way of escape so that I may be able to bear it. (Adapted 1 Corinthians 10:13)

I can do all things through Jesus Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)

Marriage is honorable and the marriage bed should not be defiled (Hebrews 13:4) if you are being tempted to commit adultery.

If you cannot think of a specific Bible verse for your specific temptation but you know what you are being tempted to do is wrong, simply meditate on and confess Abhor what is evil and cling to what is good. (Romans 12:9)

3. Redirect your Body

When the Potiphar's wife tempted Joseph to commit adultery, Joseph redirected his body from the place where he was being tempted for He left his garment in her hand and fled. (Genesis 39:12)

Therefore, when you find yourself in a tempting situation, make haste to physically leave the place where you are being tempted.

This three-pronged approach of redirecting your eyes, redirecting your mind and redirecting your body will help you resist different types of temptation because All that is in the world - the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life - is not of the Father. (1 John 2:16)

Pray Without Ceasing

As you do all this redirecting of your eyes, mind and body, ensure that you are praying and asking God to help you because We do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesess because He was tempted just as we are and yet He was without sin.

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace so that we may obtain mercy and grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:15-16)