Our struggles with temptation begin in the mind.
We let our thoughts wander toward something that we don't have.
A new car.
A new house.
A new spouse.
Paul instructs by example: "we destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God and take every thought captive to obey Christ" (2 Cor 10:5).
It's important to note that it's not "take every thought captive" as a stand alone. The last three words are vital for victory over temptation.
"To obey Christ."
It's not just a matter of choosing to control our thought lives.
It's a matter of obedience.
When we choose to follow our temptations into sin, we are choosing to obey our temptations, our lusts, our desires, ourselves.
When Jesus was tempted by Satan, He answered with Scripture: "It is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve'" (Luke 4:8).
That should be easy to remember. That should help us to take our thoughts captive to obey Christ.
When faced with a temptation, I have to decide to worship and serve God, not myself.
When I give into temptation, I'm worshiping and serving myself.
When I want to flee temptation, I have to choose to worship and serve God.
That's even a good question to ask ourselves when faced with temptation:
"If I follow through with this temptation, will I be worshiping and serving myself, or worshiping and serving God?"
Two choices are on the shelf.
Serving God, or serving self.
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