This past Sunday I preached on Hebrews 2:10-18. You can listen to it above. But I didn't get a ton of time to work out some application for verse 18. So here it is.
Let's get something straight. Just because you're tempted doesn't mean you have to give in. You may not be able to stop every sinful thought from entering your mind, but you don't have to invite it in, pull up a chair, and make it comfortable.
Hebrews 2:18 tells us that Jesus is able to help us when we're tempted. Why? Because He's been there. Jesus knows what it's like to be tempted. He knows what it's like to be hungry, exhausted, rejected, and pressured to take the easy way out. The difference? Jesus never sinned. Not once. And the same Jesus who defeated sin and death is the Jesus who promises to help you fight temptation today. To give you the same strength Jesus exercised to not give into His temptations.
But here's the question: How does Jesus actually help us?
First, quit trying to fight temptation by yourself. Hebrews 4:16 tells us to approach God's throne of grace with confidence to receive mercy and find help when we need it. That means when you're tempted to lose your temper, look at pornography, tell a lie, or say something you know you shouldn't, just stop and pray. Right then. Not after you've messed up. Before. Don't make it more complicated.
"Jesus, I want to do this, but I know it's wrong. Help me want You more than I want this." I believe that's what was on the mind of Paul at the end of Romans 7. That's not weakness. That's dependence on the One who has the power to help you.
Second, stop believing the lies you're telling yourself. Temptation always makes promises it can't keep. "Just one more look." "Nobody will know." "You deserve this." "It's not that big of a deal." "They are being ridiculous." That's why you need God's Word in your heart. When Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, Jesus answered with Scripture. He fought lies with truth. And so should we. You can't spend six days filling your mind with garbage and expect to win the battle against temptation with an hour-long sermon on Sunday. Get in the Word. Know what God says. Believe Him more than your feelings.
Third, quit hanging around the stuff that's wrecking you. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says God provides a way of escape when we're tempted. That escape is before you sin, not after. Sometimes that escape looks like closing the laptop, deleting the app, walking away from the conversation, going for a walk, not eating or drinking a vice, or calling a Christian friend and telling them what's going on. Don't pray for God to deliver you from temptation while you keep putting yourself in the same place to fall. You can't keep playing with fire and act surprised when you get burned.
Meditate on this. Jesus didn't deliver you from the domain of darkness to the kingdom of the beloved Son just for you to keep walking back into it. He died and rose again to free you from sin's dominion and darkness and give you a new way to live in liberty and light. And through His Spirit, He is at work in you, giving you the strength to say no to sin and yes to righteousness. So walk in it. Exercise self-control. That is a fruit of the Spirit you already possess.
Will you still struggle? Absolutely. Will you sometimes fall? Yes. But when you do, don't run away from Jesus in shame. Run back to Him in repentance. His grace is sufficient, His mercy is real, and His help is available.
So when temptation comes knocking, don't open the door. Walk through the Door of Jesus and enjoy His pasture. (John 10)
Let's treasure Jesus and help others follow Him.