4. Memorize Specific Scripture
When Jesus fought Satan, he quoted Scripture that dealt with the specific temptation.
The Apostle Paul calls the Word of God the “sword of the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:17). Scripture is our weapon, and going to battle without it is like going into a duel without a gun. Jesus didn’t approach temptation assuming that he could wing it. He came armed with Scripture. And if Jesus felt he needed to use Scripture to fight off temptations, then so should we.
5. Pursue Wisdom, Not Just Avoid Sin
Walking with the Spirit means you’re not just asking, “How close can I get to the line of sin without crossing it?” but instead, “What is the wisest thing to do?”
Paul says many things are lawful, but they are not helpful (1 Corinthians 6:12). That means certain choices may not be sinful, per se, but they don’t align you with the Spirit’s will.
You get the power of the Spirit when you fellowship with the Spirit, and you fellowship with the Spirit when you seek to do what he wants in every situation.
A New Kind of Obedience
The Spirit of God is not trying merely to curb your behavior; he is trying to change your heart.
In order to produce a whole new kind of obedience in you, he doesn’t just say “Stop it” to you regarding certain sins. Rather, he spotlights the beauty of Christ and assures you through Scripture’s promises that you are God’s child. He calls to mind verses that you have memorized to fight the temptations and the onslaughts of the devil.
You need the Holy Spirit’s help to overcome sin. You need him to change you from within.
This article about how to fight sin originally appeared here.
