Temptation can often be a battle. This article is to help win that battle with 5 steps – 5 Rs.

First, there is hope we can overcome temptation.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (MSG) No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll always be there to help you come through it.

Rest

Submit yourself to God for rest in the battle.

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

James 4:7-10 (The Message) 7 So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him make himself scarce. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. … 10 Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet.

You can’t win long term in your own will POWER and self CONTROL.

You need Holy Spirit’s POWER and fruit of SELF-CONTROL

“…In returning and rest you shall be saved [made whole]…” (Isa. 30:15 NKJV)

Returning requires coming back to the foundation of resting in Christ. 

Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG) Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

We must come to understand that, regarding the battles of sin, we are not the problem. Rather, what we believe about ourselves is the problem. We will only find freedom when we believe what God believes about us.

Rebuke

Rebuke the temptation. See the verses in the section above. Say it out loud if you are in a place to do that and do it as often as necessary

Redirect

Focus on something else besides the temptation as soon as possible. It rarely works to stand there facing the temptation hoping you overcome it. Redirect your mind somewhere else. Read, watch, etc. Or even better do the next step.

Run

Physically run or leave the temptation before it overtakes you.

1 Corinthians 6:18a (NIV 1984) Flee from sexual immorality.

Joseph overcame temptation because he ran from it. In an amazing act of New Testament grace, Joseph fled sexual temptation, an act of humble dependence upon God. 

His running away was humble because he had to admit to himself that he was not strong enough to continually resist Potiphar’s wife’s bold advances with no audience present. 

His fleeing temptation also revealed dependence because it was a costly act of obedience. Running away cost Joseph his robe and his freedom.

Be aware of your triggers that cause you temptation and run away from them when you identify or see them happening.

Renew

Spend time focusing on good things to reverse the thought patterns that give into and may even enjoy the temptation. 

Philippians 4:8 (NIV 1984) Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.

Ask God to change your desires.

You also change your desires by spending time and energy in things of God. It will start to change what you crave!