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For those fighting to stand righteously for the Lord, they will find that temptation (the flesh, Satan, lust) comes back. Like a boomerang returning to its owner, a tempting thought, gesture, or situation comes to face us again and again. Now, if we're not careful, we will fall for its subtle tricks to give in, but in Christ Jesus, there is victory because HE is the great overcomer - and we can be too...in Jesus' name!

1. Being tempted does not mean you sinned. Jesus was born and lived without sin and was tempted by Satan (see Matthew 4:1-11). He overcame without being marked with sin. Our response to (or giving into) temptation determines a person to give birth to sin or to continue living righteously before God.

2. The fight against temptation is not a one-time deal. Many of us consider our life against temptation like a boxing match or a football game. At the end of time, if I have the most points (or outlasted the opponent), I win. And with the win, we expect never to face that opponent unless it is on our own terms. However, temptation doesn't work like that.

3. The flesh (and the lust) within is constantly looking to satisfy itself. It's needs your approval, so it will continuously 'poke and pry' at you to give into it. The flesh doesn't care whether you go to hell or not. It wants what it wants - right then and right now. It will keep coming at you and your answer (to resist) must be the same. It will continue to test and check your demeanor (via people or circumstances).

4. The fight continues. Saying NO to temptation at 10am is different at 5pm. You have to say NO to temptation at both times. Many times a person will pat themselves on the back for overcoming at 10am, but set themselves up for a fall when they're tempted with the exact same thing at 5pm (remember Proverbs 16:18) - thinking their 'win' at 10am should give them a pass or some added advantage at 5pm. But it doesn't...however, it does help because you know HOW to overcome, but it's not going to do anything automatic for you. Satan and the flesh are still coming at you and you still need to turn from its ways.

5. The flesh (and Satan) will wait for opportune times to fight you. Peter wrote about the devil being as a roaring lion that seeks whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). He may wait until you're down and out, and then again he may not. He (and the flesh) will strike at any time. You have to know yourself, your surroundings, and when temptation abounds.

6. Know when to flee...AND FLEE! Many times we fall into sin because we remain far too long in temptation's and lust's camp. We think about it, meditate on it, and even remain in lengthy (and multiple) conversations without addressing it by the Word of God.

Paul states it best when giving this advice to Timothy:

2 Timothy 2:22 (KJV) - Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

We must walk away for the sake of our own soul salvation. No amount of guilt, pressure, or association should keep us in the company of temptation and lust. This means there may be some hard decisions and choices we must make, but we do them to keep ourselves pure in the sight of God.

7. Remain in the company of those that want to live right. As Paul describes above, we should be seeking out relationships that bring us closer to righteousness. Sometimes this may mean separating ourselves from those that do not want to live right.

Proverbs 22:24-25 (KJV) - Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.

1 Corinthians 15:33 (KJV) - Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

If friendships with angry people and evil communicators can corrupt you, what do you think will happen with those that tempt you in other ways?

8. The fight is ON! We must not be weary in well doing (Galatians 6:9) and continue to fight a good fight. The rewards for faithfulness is far beyond ANYTHING we can receive in the flesh. The lust of our flesh will bring us death through sin (James 1:13-15), but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ (Romans 6:23). Jesus has overcome the world, and through Him, we too can be victorious...one fight at a time!